PHILLIPS  liXETER  ACADEMY 


IN    NEW    HAMPSHIRE 


A     HISTORICAL     SKETCH 


BY-CHARLES  H.  BELL 


EXETER,  N.  H. 

WILLIAM    B.  MORRILL,  PRINTER 

Ncfos-lLrttrr  Iprcss 

1883 


PlIKKAToKY 

Tins  sketch  has  been  prepared  by  the  desire  of  the  Trus- 
tees ol'  the.  Academy,  in  anticipation  of  the  hundredth  anni- 
versary of  its  foundation,  and  to  preserve  in  the  security  of 
print  facts  liable  to  perish.  It  is  based  in  great  part  on  rec- 
ords and  other  authentic  writings;  and  though  absolute  free- 
dom from  error  is  not  to  be  expected,  and  matters  of  inter- 
est may  have  been  omitted,  yet  no  pains  have  been  spared 
to  avoid  mistakes. 

The  \\riter  acknowledges  his  obligations  to  several  persons' 
for  information  and  materials  ;  and  especially  to  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Phillips  Urooks,  for  the  loan  of  correspondence  between 
Dr.  John  Phillips  and  his  brothers  and  nephew. 

For  the  opinions  expressed  in  these  pages  the  writer  alone 
is  responsible. 


PHILLIPS   EXETER    ACADEMY. 


I. 

THE  FOUNDER. 

A  hundred  years  ago,  there  stood  on  the  Northern  side  of 
Water  street,  nearly  opposite  the  site  of  the  present  town 
hall  in  Exeter,  a  somewhat  stately  dwelling-house,  of  the 
architectural  st3'le  of  the  olden  time,  and  surmounted  with  a 
hipped  roof.  From  time  to  time  afterward  it  underwent 
various  transformations,  none  of  them  for  the  better,  and 
finally  disappeared,  within  the  memory  of  the  present  gener- 
ation, to  make  way  for  modern  business  structures. 

Tliis  was  the  Phillips  mansion,  and  its  early  occupant  was 
the  Founder  of  the  Academy,  in  Exeter,  which  bears  his 
name. 

John  Phillips  was  the  second  of  three  sons  of  the  Rev. 
Samuel  Phillips  of  Andover,  Massachusetts,  where  he  was 
born,  December  27,  (o.  s.)  1719.  His  great-great-grand- 
father was  the  Rev.  George  Phillips,  a  native  of  England 
and  a  clergyman,  educated  at  the  University  of  Cambridge, 
who  emigrated  to  this  country  in  the  year  1630,  in  company 
with  Gov.  Winthrop  and  others.  He  brought  with  him  his 
son  Samuel,  who  in  due  time  graduated  at  Harvard  College, 
and  was  settled  in  the  ministry  at  Rowley,  Massachusetts,  in 
1G51,  and  died  there  after  a  pastorate  of  forty-five  years,  at 
the  age  of  seventy-one.  His  son  Samuel  was  a  goldsmith, 
and  passed  his  life  in  Salem,  Massachusetts  ;  and  left  a  son 
Samuel,  born  there  in  ir>90,  a  graduate  of  Harvard  College 


('•  ril ii. Mi-s  KXI: iii.- 

iii  L 706,  the  minister  of  Andover  from  1710  to  his  death  in 
1771,  who  wa>  tin'  father  of  the  Exeter  Founder. 

John  1'Iiillips  was  a  promising  boy,  precocious  and  fond  of 
learning.  1'nder  his  lather's  tuition  he  was  enabled,  before 
lie  was  twelve  years  of  age,  to  enter  Harvard  College,  and 
he  received  his  bachelor's  degree  in  1735,  some  months  be- 
fore lie  was  sixteen.  For  a  time  after  his  graduation  he  was 
employed  in  teaching  a  school  in  his  native  place,  and  pur- 
sued also  the  stud}'  of  medicine  and  of  theology.  Wliile  yet 
a  young  man  lie  was  admitted  to  the  ministerial  oflice,  and  is 
said  to  have  been  esteemed  "a  devout,  zealous,  animated  and 
pathetic  preacher."  Some  of  the  sermons  which  he  prepared 
were  long  preserved,  and  perhaps  are  still  in  existence  ;  and 
there  is  n->  doubt  that  he  might  have  been  settled  over  a 
parish  at  an  earl}'  age,  had  he  not  felt  a  reluctance  to  it.  A 
delicacy  of  the  lungs  is  believed  to  have  been  a  cause  of  this  ; 
and  later,  after  he  had  listened  to  the  eloquent  "VVhitclield, 
he  felt  a  distrust  of  his  capacity  to  realize  his  ideal  of  a 
Christian  minister. 

He  probably  first  appeared  in  Exeter,  between  May  and 
August,  1741,  and  opened  a  "private  classical  school," 
which  he  continued  for  a  year  or  two,  and  then  took  charge 
of  the  town  school  for  an  equal  period.  He  came  to  be  rc- 
liarded  as  a  permanent  inhabitant  of  the  province  of  New 
Hampshire  in  1743,  when  his  name  first  appeared  upon  the 
list  of  rate  payers.  He  was  then  assessed  the  modest  sum 
of  four  shillings  and  two  pence  ;  he  lived  to  become  the 
wealthiest  citizen  of  the  town. 

The  same  year  he  took  a  step  which  operated  to  fix  his 
residence  permanently  in  Exeter.  He  married,  on  the  fourth 
of  August,  Mrs.  Sarah,  "relict"  as  the  phrase  was,  of  Na- 
thaniel Gilman,  Esq.  She  was  a  daughter  of  the  Uev.  Sam- 
uel Emery,  of  Wells,  Maine,  and  was  a  lad}T  of  many  vir- 
tues, as  will  appear  by  a  letter  of  Mr.  Phillips  to  her  grand- 
daughter, to  be  given  hereafter.*  Mr.  Gilman,  her  first 

*  Appendix  A. 


\i  \!>I:MV.  < 

husband,  was  a  person  of  education,  and  is  credited  by  tra- 
dition with  having  borne  the  sobriquet  of  •'( Jentleman  Nat." 
He  left  this  widow  and  three  children  to  inherit  a  fortune, 
large  for  those  times,  of  seventy-live  thousand  pounds,  old 
tenor.  Mr.  Phillips  at  first  aspired  to  many  the  eldest 
daughter,  but  she  preferred  another ;  and  thereupon  he  pro- 
posed to  the  mother,  who  accepted  him.  Though  then-  was 
something  of  a  disparity  in  their  ages,  she  being  forty-one, 
while  he  was  only  twenty-four,  yet  the  marriage  was  doubt- 
less a  very  happy  one  to  both  parties. 

Mr.  Phillips  soon  afterwards  entered  into  mercantile  busi- 
ness, in  which  his  industry,  economy,  methodical  habits  and 
sagacity  enabled  him  to  gain  great  success. 

Shortly  after  he  made  Exeter  his  home,  a  new  religious 
society  was  formed  there,  of  which  he  became  a  member.  On 
the  twenty-fifth  of  May,  1747,  this  society,  by  a  committee  of 
seven  prominent  members,  gave  him  a  pressing  invitation 
to  become  their  pastor,  having  been,  as  their  letter  assured 
him,  "heretofore  satisfied  of  your  gracious  qualifications, 
and  more  lately  with  your  ministerial  gifts."  This  language 
would  indicate  that  he  had  already  performed  some  clerical 
duty  for  the  society ;  but  he  was  unwilling,  for  the  reasons 
already  mentioned,  to  assume  the  responsibilities  of  a  settle- 
ment, and  declined  the  invitation.  But  he  long  held  the  of- 
fice of  ruling  elder,  and  as  such  in  1755  gave  his  assent,  in 
behalf  of  the  "new  gathered  church,"  to  the  award  of  a  mu- 
tual council  convened  to  compose  the  differences  between 
that  and  the  older  religious  organization  of  the  town. 

Mr.  Phillips,  as  might  be  supposed  from  his  character  and 
habits,  grew  ere  long  to  be  a  man  of  substance  and  weight 
in  the  community.  As  he  advanced  in  life  there  arose  pre- 
monitory symptoms  of  serious  troubles  between  the  British 
government  and  the  American  colonies.  The  nullification  of 
the  Stamp  Act  awakened  apprehensions,  in  some  minds,  of  a 
general  prevalence  of  lawlessness  and  anarchy  ;  and  Mr. 
Phillips,  with  others  oi' the  principal  citizens  of  Kxeler.  on 


riiiu.ii'>    i  \i.i  1.1: 

tlu-  fifteenth  of  November,  17C..").  subscribed  and  published  :in 
agreement,  (o  this  effect: 

••Whereas  many  evil  minded  Persons  have,  on  account  of 
the  Stamp  Act,  concluded  that  all  the  Laws  of  this  Province 
and  the  Execution  of  the  same  are  at  an  End,~&c.  There- 
fore we  the  Subscribers  do  hereby  Combine,  Promise  and  En- 
gage t<»  assemble  ourselves  together,  when  and  where  Need 
requires,  in  aid  of  the  Peace  Ollicers,  and  to  Stand  by  and 
Defend  them  in  the  Execution  of  their  respective  Ollices,  and 
each  other  in  our  respective  Properties  and  Persons,  against 
all  Disturbers  of  the  Public  Peace  and  Invaders  of  Private 
Property." 

Apparently  there  was  in  the  mind  of  Mr.  Phillips,  not  far 
from  this  time,  a  question  whether  he  should  continue  his 
residence  in  Exeter.  His  wife  had  died  on  the  ninth  of  Octo- 
ber. }'('>'>,  and  the  gathering  clouds  in  the  political  horizon 
were  alarming  to  a  prudent  and  well-to-do  man.  But  the  re- 
peal of  the  stamp  act  the  next  }Tear,  and  the  appointment  of 
John  Wentworth  as  the  governor  of  the  province,  gave  :i 
more  hopeful  aspect  to  the  future.  Moreover  Mr.  Phillips 
determined  to  enter  into  a  second  matrimonial  connection. 
The  lady  of  his  choice,  whom  he  married  on  the  third  of 
November,  17G7,  was  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Hale,  widow  of  Dr. 
Eliphalet  Hale  of  Exeter,  and  daughter  of  the  Hon.  Ephraim 
Dennett  who  had  been  a  prominent  citizen  of  Portsmouth  and 
a  mandamus  Councillor.  This  lady  is  represented  as  pos- 
ing most  estimable  qualities  ;  she  was  a  prudent,  help- 
ful and  devoted  wife  to  Mr.  Phillips,  whom  she  survived  but 
two  or  three  years.* 

He  now  began  to  be  invested  with  ollices  and  trusts  which 
in  those  days  conferred  no  small  distinction.  Gov.  Went- 
worth  caused  his  name  to  be  inserted  in  the  Commission  of 
the  Peace  as  early  as  17G8,  and  continued  it  there  as  long  as 
the  royal  government  endured  in  the  province.  In  1771, 
1772  and  1773  he  was  elected  a  Representative  from  Exeter 

*Mrs.  Phillips  died  in  September,  17M7. 


v  \IM-:*M  . 

in  the  provincial  assembly.  From  1772  to  1775  he  sat  :is  n 
Judge  of  the  Inferior  Court  of  Common  Picas  :  and  toward 
the  close  of  Gov.  Went  worth's  administration  he  is  under- 
stood to  have  received  the  appointment  of  mandamus  Coun- 
cillor, but  it  does  not  appear  that  he  ever  acted  in  that  ca- 
pacity. 

Gov.  Wentworth,  who  was  of  a  conciliatory  disposition, 
and  fond  of  military  parade,  proposed  to  Mr.  Phillips  in 
1770  the  formation  of  a  corps  (T elite,  to  embrace  many  of  the 
principal  citizens  of  Exeter,  and  to  act  as  a  body  guard  of 
the  chief  magistrate.  The  plan  was  carried  into  effect,  and 
Mr.  Phillips  received  the  appointment  of  commander,  with 
the  rank  of  Colonel.  Nothing  was  spared  to  give  distinction 
to  the  corps.  It  was  called  by  the  name  of  the  Exeter  Ca- 
dets :  the  uniform  of  scarlet  and  buff  was  rich  and  hand- 
some, the  cocked  hats,  and  ruffles  at  the  bosom  and  wrists 
gave  an  air  of  superiority,  at  that  time  when  dress  meant  so 
much.  The  officers  appeared  in  all  the  bravery  of  gorget 
and  sash,  with  sword  and  spontoon  ;  and  a  handsome  stand 
of  colors  rendered  the  equipment  of  the  company  com- 
plete. 

In  September,  1770,  his  cxcellenc}-  the  Governor,  his  lady 
and  suite  were  present  at  the  publishing  of  the  commissions 
of  the  officers,  and  dined  at  the  house  of  Col.  Phillips. 
Again  in  1772  the  Governor  attended  a  parade  of  '-his  Ca- 
dets," as  he  called  them,  and  declared  himself  much  gratified 
therewith.  Col.  Phillips  performed  his  military  duties  with 
strict  fidelity,  and  his  command  was  often  called  together  for 
exercise,  and  was  in  an  admirable  state  of  discipline.  P>ut 
it  contained  a  considerable  proportion  of  those  who,  when 
the  impending  revolution  summoned  men  to  take  sides,  be- 
came "high  sons  of  liberty,"  and  on  the  morning  after  the 
memorable  day  of  Concord  and  Lexington,  a  goodly  number 
of  the  Cadets  marched  off  for  Cambridge,  without  orders 
from  their  commander,  carrying  on  their  shoulders  the  bright 
muskets  which  the  royal  governor  had  provided,  to  swell  the 


10  riin.i.ii's    KXKH.i: 

ranks  of  tin-    army   of  colonists    \vlio    initiated    thr   siege   of 
Boston. 

Although  Col.  Phillips  was  chosen  liy  his  townsmen  in 
1774  a  member  of  the  C'oinniitt :-e  of  Correspondence,  yet  it 
i>  certain  that  ho  took  no  active  part  in  the  American  Revo- 
Intion.  Nor  was  this  strange.  Men  situated  as  lie  was  are 
not  the  stuff  of  which  revolutions  are  made.  lie  had  been 
educated  in  a  reverence  for  authority,  and  had  felt  no  hard- 
ship from  the  rule  of  the  mother  country  such  as  to  justify 
resistance  to  it.  He  was  in  mature  life,  with  an  easy  for- 
tune and  an  assured  position.  He  had  nothing  to  gain,  but 
everything  to  lose,  by  a  change  of  government. 

It  is  time  that  the  indiscriminate  prejudice  which  has  so 
long  prevailed  against  the  loyalists  of  the  Revolution,  should 
give  place  to  more  just  and  rational  views.  The  men  who 
adhered  to  the  crown  from  selfish  or  interested  motives,  and 
contrary  to  their  own  sense  of  right,  may  indeed  be  justly 
despised ;  but  those  whose  motives  were  honorable  and 
whose  attachment  to  the  mother  country  was  genuine,  con- 
stituting a  large  proportion  of  the  loyalists  of  the  North  at 
least,  deserve  no  stigma  for  acting  with  the  courage  of  their 
convictions.  Col.  Phillips  however,  could  not  be  justly  ac- 
counted as  a  "tory."  "From  principle  he  disapproved  of 
the  Revolution,  but  made  no  active  opposition  to  it.  He  \v:.s 
solicitous  to  preserve  a  state  of  neutrality  in  the  contest, 
and  studiously  avoided  conversation  on  the  subject,  and,  as 
far  as  he  was  able,  everything  relating  to  it."* 

About  the  time  of  the  breaking  out  of  the  Revolution,  Col. 
Phillips  ceased  trading,  and  employed  that  part  of  his  prop- 
erty which  was  not  vested  in  land,  in  making  loans  on  inter- 
est. By  this  time  he  had  gathered  much  wealth,  and  as  lie  had 
neither  children  nor  needy  relatives,  it  became  a  serious  pro- 
blem with  him  what  ultimate  disposition  he  should  make  of 
it.  It  was  not  a  new  question.  Descended  from  a  line  of 
clergymen,  educated  in  all  religious  observances,  ami  a  pro- 

*MS   of  GOT,  I'linner. 


ACADEMY.  1 1 

fessor  of  Christianity  from  the  age  of  fifteen,  he  had  been  al- 
ways accustomed  to  regard  his  property  as  accompanied  with 
a  sacred  trust.  As  early  as  when  he  was  a  teacher  of  youth, 
he  had  recorded  in  his  private  memoranda  this  resolution  : 
"lieing  sensible  that  a  part  of  my  income  is  required  of  un- 
to be  spent  in  the  more  immediate  service  of  God,  I  there- 
fore devote  a  tenth  of  m\'  salary  for  keeping  school,  to  pious 
and  charitable  purposes."*  And  among  the  fragments  of  his 
correspondence  which  have  come  down  to  our  time,  arc  two 
letters,  one  to  each  of  his  brothers,  Samuel  at  Andover,  and 
William  at  Boston,  both  of  whom  were  in  prosperous 
circumstances,  which  indicate  how  steadily  the  idea  of 
dedicating  a  portion  of  his  possessions  to  benevolent  and 
charitable  uses  dwelt  in  his  mind.f 

The  first  considerable  gifts  which  were  made  by  Col. 
Phillips  in  pursuance  of  this  design,  of  which  we  have  any 
definite  information,  were  to  the  infant  Dartmouth  College. 
The  Rev.  Dr.  Eleazer  Whcclock,  who  had  been  at  the  head 
of  the  Indian  Charhy  School  in  Connecticut,  was  about  re- 
moving it  into  New  Hampshire,  there  to  be  erected  by  royal 
charter  into  a  college.  Col.  Phillips  in  1770  subscribed  a 
considerable  tract  of  land, — seven  rights  in  the  new 
township  of  Sandwich, — to  the  funds  of  the  institution, 
upon  the  condition  that  it  should  be  established  at 
Hanover ;  which  was  done.  Two  years  afterwards  he 
gave  to  the  college  the  sum  of  £175,  lawful  money,  for  the 
purchase  of  a  philosophical  apparatus,  and  the  next  year 
the  further  sum  of  £125,  to  aid  in  "furthering  the  great 
purpose  of  the  institution,"  which  was,  primarily  though 
by  no  means  exclusively,  the  education  and  Christian - 
ization  of  the  American  Indians.  In  the  year  1781  he 
conveyed  to  the  Trustees  upwards  of  4000  acres  of  land, 
situated  in  several  townships  in  Northern  New  Hampshire 
and  in  Vermont,  to  be  held  for  the  use  of  the  College,  with- 

*MS.  ofGov.  Plumer. 
f  Appendix  V>. 


]'2  IMIIU.1I'>    KXKTKK 

out  restriction- :  and  finally,  in  ITS'.)  he  added  the  sum  of 
t':!7  10s.  upon  condition  that  the  College  shonld  con- 
tribute lands  to  an  equal  amount,  to  be  consolidated  with 
his  former  donation  of  lands,  for  the  foundation  of  a  pro- 
fessorship of  Divinity.  The  endowment  thus  constituted  is 
still  known  by  his  name,  and  yields  an  annual  income  of 
about  8400. 

Col.  Phillips  was  chosen  a  trustee  of  Dartmouth  College 
in  1773,  and  performed  the  duties  of  the  position  with  much 
interest  and  punctuality  until  his  resignation,  by  reason  of 
years  and  bodily  infirmity,  in  17!>:5.  In  1777,  the  College  con- 
ferred upon  him  the  honorary  degree  of  Doctor  of  Laws. 
This  was  the  second  instance  in  which  the  institution  had 
granted  that  mark  of  distinction,  the  other  1  icing  in  the  case 
of  Gov.  John  Wcntworth,  "the  father  of  the  College."  who 
received  it  in  1773. 

The  next  educational  enterprise,*  which  engaged  the  atten- 
tion, and  received  the  benefactions  of  Dr.  Phillips,  was  the 
planting  of  the  Academy  in  his  native  town.  In  the  year 
1777  the  Hon.  Samuel  Phillips,  Jr.,  of  Andover.  his  nephew, 
being  familiar,  no  doubt,  with  the  long  cherished  intentions 
of  his  uncle  and  father,  to  make  some  special  charitable  u-c 
of  a  portion  of  the  fortunes  which  they  had  acquired,  project- 
ed the  school  which  was  afterwards  incorporated  as  the 
Phillips  Andover  Academy.  The  brothers  John  and  Samuel 
Phillips  jointly  endowed  it,  in  1778,  with  the  means  to  begin 
its  work,  and  Dr.  Phillips  afterwards,  by  gift  and  by  be- 
quest, increased  his  gratuities  to  the  institution  to  the  amount 
of  about  $31 ,000,  thereby  becoming  its  chief  benefactor.  He 
served  as  one  of  the  Trustees  of  that  Academy  during  his  life, 
and  after  the  death  of  his  eldest  brother,  as  President,  and 
displayed  an  interest  in  its  affairs  and  management  only 
less  lively  and  active  than  that  which  he  felt  in  the  latest  and 


*IIe  is  said  also  to  have  made  donations  to  Princeton  and  to 
Harvard  College,  and  to  have  given  money  to  aid  the  cause  ot  ed- 
ucation, to  towns  in  the  vicinity  ot  lii-  lioine. 


ACA1>K!\n.  L'S 

most  important  work  of  benevolence,  which  crowned  his 
useful  career. 

This  was  Phillips  Exeter  Academy,  which  was  exclusively 
Dr.  Phillips'  own  project.  To  the  foundation  and  upbuilding 
of  this  institution  he  consecrated  the  greater  part  of  his  for- 
tune, besides  giving  to  it  his  personal  supervision  as  Presi- 
dent of  the  board  of  Trustees  during  the  last  twelve  years  of 
his  life.  His  rare  judgment  of  men  and  his  cultivated  busi- 
ness capacity  well  supplemented  the  far  reaching  wisdom  of 
his  plans,  and  the  Academy  prospered  in  its  resources  and  in 
its  work.  The  Founder  lived  to  see  it  established  on  a  firm 
basis,  and  giving  assurance  of  that  extended  measure  of  use- 
fulness which  later  generations  have  witnessed. 

This  great  mission  accomplished,  he  felt  that  his  life  work 
was  finished.  He  had  considerably  passed  the  ordinary  pe- 
riod of  man's  earthly  existence,  and  was  ready  to  be  called 
hence.  His  closing  hours  were  ihus  described  by  one  who 
knew  him  well.* 

"His  last  illness  was  very  short.  He  was  seized  with  a 
kind  of  fainting  fit  on  Monclaj  morning,  from  which  he  in 
part  recovered,  so  as  to  walk  about  the  house,  and  was  per- 
fectly sensible  and  apprised  of  his  approaching  dissolution, 
and  spake  of  it  to  his  friends  with  calmness  and  serenity, 
and  with  apparent  pleasure.  And,  according  to  information, 
expressed  himself  in  words  to  this  effect :  '  My  work  is  done, 
I  have  settled  all  my  affairs,  and  have  now  nothing  to  do  but 
to  die  ;  it  is  no  matter  how  soon.'  And  retaining  his  reason 
to  the  last,  the  next  morning  he  died,  April  the  21st,  179"), 
in  the  seventy-sixth  year  of  his  age." 

All  suitable  honors  were  paid  to  his  memory.  The  Trus- 
tees of  Phillips  Exeter  Academy  chose  one  of  their  number, 
the  Rev.  Benjamin  Thurston,  to  pronounce  a  eulogy  upon 
the  Founder,  at  the  next  annual  meeting  of  the  board  ;  a 
duty  which  he  duly  performed  to  their  approval.  They  also 


*Tho  Rev.  Jonathan  French,  in  a  sermon  preached  on  the  occa- 
sion of  the  death  of  Dr.  Phillips,  at  Andover,  Massachusetts. 


1-1  nm.i.ii's   !:\I:TER 

voted  that  a  copy. >f  Dr.  Phillips' portrait u  elegantly  decorat- 

C(l"  should  IK-  taken  and  placed  in  the  Library  of  the  Academy. 

Thf  body  of  Dr.  Philliiis  rests  in  the  ci-mi'tery  of  the  town 
in  which  the  most  important  share  of  his  life  was  passed,  and 
upon  til'.1  marble  monument  which  his  associates  in  the  trust 
caused  to  In1  erected  over  it.  is  inscribed  an  appropriate  epi- 
taph, composed  by  the  accomplished  Nathaniel  A.  Haven.  Jr.* 

A  biography  which  records  only  the  public  -acts  and  exter- 
nal life  of  its  subject,  is  necessarily  bare  and  unsatisfactory. 
No  one  feels  that  he  knows  another,  thoroughly,  until  he  is 
acquainted  with  his  inner  finalities,  his  private,  domestic  re- 
lations, his  personal  peculiarities.  An  anecdote  often  throws 
more  light  on  character  than  an  essay. 

It  is  to  be  regretted  that  so  few  memorials  of  Dr.  Phillips' 
private  life  have  descended  to  our  time.  There  are  snllicient 
data  perhaps  to  give  ns  an  idea  of  the  Founder;  but  of  John 
Phillips  the  man,  we  unfortunately  have  few  authentic  mate- 
rials from  which  to  fashion  any  adequate  portraiture. 

It  is  certain  that  he  was  not  a  popular  favorite.  The 
children  disliked  to  meet  him  because  he  so  rigorously  ex- 
acted from  them  the  outward  marks  of  respect  to  which  he 
thought  his  years  and  position  entitled  him  ;|  for  lie  was 
bred  in  a  school  in  which  reverence  for  superiors  was  insist- 
ed on  as  the  imperative  duty  of  the  young.  His  neighbors, 
although  they  entertained  for  him  a  distant  respect,  evident- 
ly did  not  love  him.  By  nature  and  by  habit  he  was  reserved 
and  formal,  and  he  had  neither  the  ready  adaptability  that 
interests  its  possessor  in  the  concerns  of  others,  nor  those 
companionable  qualities  which  are  so  much  valued  by  one's 

*Appcndix  C.  A  terse,  and  strikingly  just  epitaph  proposed 
for  him  was, — "Without  natural  issue  lie  made  poste.rily  his  heir." 

tA  venerable  lady  of  Kxeter  states  thai  il  was  Dr.  Phillips1  hab- 
it in  his  later  years,  to  pace  up  and  down  the  platform  before  his 
hoii>e,  ;uul  to  insist  that  every  boy  who  passed,  should  doll'  the 
hat.  and  every  girl  make  a  courtesy,  to  him. 

Professor  Iloyt  relates  that  "he  would  not  give  a  hoy  a  cherry 
from  his  trees,  unless  the  favor  were  asked  with  a  low  how.  and 
in  the  most  reverent  t"i:< 


ACADEMY.  15 

associates.  And,  worst  of  all,  ho  was  wealthy. — a  money 
lender, — frugal  and  saving  to  the  very  verge  of  parsimony. 
Little  wonder  that  traditions  of  niggardliness  and  of  hard  treat- 
ment of  the  poor,  should  have  sprung  up  about  such  a  man.* 

But  beneath  that  cold  exterior  there  beat  a  warm  and  be- 
nevolent heart.  The  fragments  of  his  correspondence  that 
remain,  show  the  cordiality  of  his  affection  for  those  connect- 
ed with  him  by  the  ties  of  consanguinity,  and  his  thorough 
appreciation  of  the  womanly  charms  and  virtues  that  render- 
ed his  home  happy.  His  secret  sympathies,  too,  went  out 
in  an  ever  widening  circle,  to  every  creature  in  poverty  and 
ignorance,  struggling  for  the  light.  He  did  not  amass  riches 
for  his  own  enjoyment  or  aggrandizement ;  still  less  for  the 
avaricious  pleasure  of  possession  ;  else  he  could  never  have 
brought  himself  to  part  with  the  control  of  them  during  his 
life,  and  especially  after  the  age  of  acquisition  was  passed. 
He  had  a  high  and  noble  motive  for  his  accumulations.  He 
saved  on  principle,  that  he  might  give  the  more  wisely  and 
effectively.  His  generosity  sprang  from  no  shallow  inornen- 
taiy  impulse,  nor  were  his  thousands  lavished  for  the  sake  of 
popularity  or  notoriety.  The  charity  that  enshrines  his  name 
was  self-denying,  systematic,  catholic  and  of  highest  pur- 
pose. 

The  painted  portrait  of  Dr.  Phillips  in  the  possessio  i  of 
the  Academy,  attributed  to  the  characterizing  brush  of  Stuart, 
bears  an  expression  of  kindness  and  benevolence,  blended 
with  shrewdness  and  sagacit}".  Apparently  it  represents 
faithfully  his  leading  characteristics.  The  Hon.  Josiah  Quin- 
cy,  his  connection  by  marriage,  who  in  his  youth  knew  Dr. 
Phillips  well,  asserts  that  "he  should  never  forget  the  patri- 
archial  sweetness  of  his  countenance."  And  it  is  the  testi- 
mony of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Abiel  Abbot,  the  historian  of  Andover, 
also  a  personal  acquaintance,  that  Dr.  Phillips  was  "a  sagn- 

*Mr.  Wendell  Phillips  is  authority  for  the  statement  that  an  old 
woman  who  had  lived  in  the  family  of  Dr.  Phillips,  said— "he 
was  a  good  man, — and  he  always  soaked  his  back-logs  in  water 
over  night  !" 


Hi  nm.ur-   I:\KTKK 

cious  observer  of  human  nature,  shrewd  in  his  remarks  :  sel- 
doin  erred  in  judgment,  and  had  much  practical  wisdom." 

lie  has  sometimes  l>een  represented  as  belonging  to  the 
sourest  sect  of  puritans  ;  and  it  is  true  that  he  clung  tena- 
ciously to  the  narrow  and  rigid  religious  tenets  in  which  he 
had  l>een  educated;  but  it  was  with  the  intellect  far  more 
than  with  the  heart.  In  his  practice  he  was  in  advance  of 
his  time,  in  respect  to  religious  tolerance.  It  was  well  said 
of  him  that  "his  austere  faith  was  softened  \)y  natural  tem- 
perament and  by  inherent  kindliness  of  spirit."  lie  certain- 
ly was  ready  to  appreciate  goodness  wherever  he  found  it, 
and  even  if  interwoven  with  religious  dogmas  which  he  could 
not  accept.  The  major  part  of  his  associates  on  the  board 
of  trust,  and  the  first  Principal  of  the  Academy,  all  not  only 
approved  but  nominated  by  himself,  held  theological  views 
to  a  greater  or  less  extent  at  variance  with  his  own. 

On  the  whole  it  ma}*  be  said  of  Dr.  Phillips  that  his  foibles 
were  few  and  venial,  while  his  virtues  were  numerous  and 
shining.  He  is  entitled,  not  to  the  questionable  commenda- 
tion of  having  ••  buildcd  better  than  he  knew,"  but  to  rank 
with  those  benefactors  of  mankind,  whose  building,  because 
it  was  perfected  at  the  cost  of  much  study  and  sacrifice, 
filled  out  the  exact  measure  of  their  wishes. 


ACAMKMY.  17 


II. 

THE  ACADEMY;  1781  to  1838. 

Phillips  Exeter  Academy  was  incorporated  by  the  Legisla- 
ture of  New  Hampshire,  by  an  Act  which  received  the  ap- 
proval of  the  President  of  the  State,  the  third  of  April,  1781. 
It  was  a  wise  step  on  the  part  of  Dr.  Phillips  to  begin  this 
educational  experiment  in  his  lifetime,  and  while  he  was  yet 
of  an  age  to  take  an  active  part  in  its  direction.  There  wras 
little  experience  in  the  management  of  similar  institutions  for 
him  to  profit  by  ;  he  was  entering  upon  a  field  that  was  al- 
most untrodden.  The  only  precedents  for  his  guidance  were 
to  be  drawn  from  the  Phillips  Andover  Academy,  which  had 
been  chartered  but  a  year  before,  and  from  the  Dummcr 
Academy  at  By  field,  Massachusetts,  which,  though  it  had 
been  in  operation  eighteen  years,  was  yet  unincorporated. 
Accordingly  the  responsibility  of  shaping  the  project  in  its 
inception,  and  of  giving  it  the  direction  which  was  to  conduct 
it  to  ultimate  success,  fell  chiefly  upon  the  Founder,  who  for- 
tunately possessed  the  knowledge  and  experience  and  fore- 
sight which  adinirabl}-  qualified  him  for  the  task. 

The  Act  of  Incorporation  provided  "that  there  be,  and 
hereby  is,  established  in  the  Town  of  Exeter  and  County  of 
Kockingham.  an  Academy  for  the  purpose  of  promoting  Piety 
and  Virtue,  and  for  the  education  of  youth  in  the  English, 
Latin  and  Greek  Languages,  in  Writing,  Arithmetic,  Music 
and  the  Art  of  Speaking,  Practical  Geometry,  Logic  and  Ge- 
ography, and  such  other  of  the  Liberal  Arts  and  Sciences  or 
Languages,  as  opportunity  may  hereafter  permit,  and  as  the 


1*  i'iui.i.ir>   I.XKTI.I; 

Trustees  hereinafter  provided,  shall  direct."  Tin.1  control 
and  government  of  tin-  Academy  were  by  the  Act  vested  in 

a  board  of  Trustee^,  not  tnore  than  seven  nor  less  than  four 
in  number,  of  \vhoin  one  should  bo  the  principal  instructor,  a 
majority  should  lie  laymen,  and  a  majority  not  inhabitants  of 
Kxeter.  The  Trustees  were  empowered  to  fill  all  vacancies 
that  should  occur  in  their  own  board  ;  and  by  a  vote  of  two 
thirds  of  their  whole  number,  to  remove  the  Academy  from 
Kxeter,  if  for  canoes  thereafter  arising  that  course  should,  upon 
mature  consideration,  be  found  needful,  and  establish  it  in 
Mum;  other  placa  in  the  State  which  the}-  should  "judge  best 
calculated  for  carrying  into  effectual  execution  the  intention 
of  the  Founder."  And,  finally,  the  Act  of  Incorporation 
stipulated  "that  all  the  lands,  tenements  and  personal  estate, 
that  shall  IK-  given  to  the  Trustees  for  the  use  of  said  Acade- 
my, shall  be,  and  hereby  are.  forever  exempted  from  all 
taxes  whatsoever."* 

Tlu1  first  board  of  Trustees  was  composed  of  the  following 
ueiitlemen  :  Dr.  John  Phillips,  the  Hon.  Samuel  Phillips,  .Jr., 
of  Andover,  Massachusetts, Thomas  Odiornc,  Esq.,  of  Kxeter, 
the  Hon.  .John  Pickering,  LL.  D.,  of  Portsmouth,  the  Rev. 
David  McClure,  of  North  Hampton,  and  Major  Daniel 
Tilton,  and  the  Rev.  Benjamin  Thurston,  both  of  Kxeter. 
The  hist  named  gentleman  was  expected  to  be  the  prin- 
cipal teacher  of  the  school,  and  in  point  of  fact,  if  tradition 
is  to  be  relied  upon,  did  give  instruction  in  it  for  a  time, 
before  the  fornr.il  opening  of  the  Academy. 

On  the  ninth  day  of  January,  1782,  Dr.  Phillips  com- 
pleted a  conveyance  to  the  Trustees  for  the  use  of  the  Acad- 
emy, of  his  interest  in  a  large  number  of  tracts  of  land,  sit- 


*Somc  alarmist,  having  with  perverse  ingenuity  insisted  that, 
by  virtue  of  this  provision  all  property  which  had  once  been  held 
by  the  Academy  would  be  forever  after  freed  from  taxation  to 
subsequent  owner-;,  the  Trustee-;,  by  petition  to  the  Legislature. 
procured  the  passage  of  an  Aet  declaring  that  the  exemption  from 
taxation  was  to  continue  only  so  long  as  the  property  should  bc.- 
lonjr  to  the  Academy. 


.U'ADKMV.  19 

uatcd  in  various  towns  in  New  Hampshire,  some  of  which  be 
owned  in  fee,  and  others  were  under  mortgage  to  him  to  se- 
cure the  payment  of  moneys  due.  Although  we  have  not 
the  means  to  compute  the  value  of  this  gift,  yet  it  undoubt- 
edly was  sullicient  to  meet  all  the  probable  requirements  of 
the  Academy,  for  making  a  successful  beginning,  at  least. 

In  his  deed  of  conveyance  Dr.  Phillips  embodied  a  series 
of  standing  regulations,  which  he  termed  the  "Constitution" 
of  the  Academy,  and  which  he  directed  should  be  read  at 
each  annual  meeting  of  the  Trustees.  It  contained  some- 
what minute  definitions  of  the  duties  of  the  several  oilicers, 
which  were  less  familiar  then  than  now,  as  well  as  many 
practical  suggestions  of  lasting  value.  The  rule  was  there 
inculcated,  which  has  always  silica  been  adhered  to  with  sig- 
nal advantage,  that  no  pupil  should  board  in  any  family  not 
licensed  by  the  authorities  of  the  Academy.  The  only  re- 
strictions of  a  religious  character  in  the  instrument  were  that 
the  Trustees  and  teachers  must  be  Protestants  ;  and  that  the 
principal  instructor  should  be  a  member  of  the  Church  of 
Christ,  in  complete  standing,  and  professing  sentiments  sim- 
ilar to  those  of  the  Founder  in  the  Constitution  expressed. 
The  Founder  also  reserved  to  himself  the  power  to  appoint 
his  successor  in  the  board  of  trust,  who,  as  well  as  his  suc- 
cessors after  him,  should  enjoy  the  same  right  forever.  This 
Constitution  lias  of  course  been  the  constant  guide  of  the 
Trustees  from  that  time  to  the  present,  in  the  execution  of 
their  functions. 

Dr.  Phillips  added  to  the  resources  of  the  Academy  by 
repeated  acts  of  generosity,  afterwards.  On  the  twenty-ninth 
of  March,  1787,  he  made  an  assignment  to  the  Trustees,  of 
promissory  notes  against  various  parties,  to  the  amount  ol 
I* I, KM  or  thereabout;  and  on  the  twenty-fifth  day  of  No- 
vember, 1789,  another  assignment  of  property  of  a  similar  na- 
ture, the  value  of  which  is  not  stated,  for  the  special  purpose 
of  affording  aid  to  charity  scholars  "such  as  may  be  of  ex- 
celling genius  and  of  good  moral  character."  And  by  his 


pHii.ur-   i  \i  n  K 


hist  will,  executed  in  17*'.'  and  proved  in  1705,  lit-  devised 
two  thirds  of  the  residue  of  his  estate.  after  small  bequest.  •> 
to  his  ri'latives,  and  a  rather  slender  provision  for  his  wid- 
ow.* to  Phillips  Kxeter  Academy:  the  other  third  being 
<;iven  to  the  Academy  at  Andover. 

The  various  benefactions  of  Dr.  Phillips  to  the  Kxeter  Acad- 
cmy  are  estimated  to  amount  in  the  aggregate  to  aliout  $00,- 
000.  In  the  present  era  of  vast  acquiring  and  magnificent 
giving,  there  is  danger  of  undervaluing  the  bounty  express- 
ed by  these  comparatively  modest  figures.  We  need  to  bear 
in  mind  that  the  worth  of  money,  one  hundred  years  ago, 
was  four  fold  greater  than  it  is  to-day  ;  that  the  Founder  de- 
voted to  this  object  the  major  part  of  the  accumulations  of  a 
laborious  and  extraordinarily  successful  life  ;  and  that  no 
endowment  of  a  similar  enterprise  in  the  country  up  to  that 
time,  approached  this  in  magnitude.  And,  finally,  in  order 
to  estimate  the  value  of  the  foundation  aright,  it  is  necessaiy 
to  consider  what  has  since  been  accomplished  by  it  ;  to  look 
down  the  long  line  of  alumni  who  have  been  enabled,  through 
the  facilities  which  it  has  afforded,  to  attain  distinguished 
places  in  every  important  walk  of  life  ;  and  to  weigh  the  im- 
petus which  it  has  thus  given  to  the  scholarship,  the  litera- 
ture. and  the  professional  and  business  progress  of  the  conn- 
try  and  of  the  age. 

The  charter  for  the  Academy  obtained,  and  the  necessary 
funds  provided,  the  next  step  was  to  determine  the  location 
of  the  Academy  building.  And  here  arose  a  difference  of 
opinion,  as  has  so  often  been  the  ease  in  the  settlement  of 
like  questions.  Dr.  Phillips,  though  apparently  holding  a 
pretty  decided  opinion  on  the  point,  had  the  wisdom  not  to 
take  sides,  and  it  was  decided  to  place  the  school  house  on 
a  spot  somewhat  westerly  of  the  present  site  of  the  Acade- 


*The  provision  for  Mrs.  Phillips  was  increased,  from  the  es- 
tate, to  her  entire  satisfaction,  by  the  joint  aetion  of  the  Kxeter 
and  Aiulover  Academies,  in  the  proportion  to  their  several  intci  - 
c-ts  in  the  residuum. 


ACADKMY.  21 

my.  ;uul  on  tlii'  opposite  hide  ol' what  is  now  culled  Academy 
street,  lint  is  better  known  to  the  older  Alumni  by  the  less 
elegant  name  of  -'Tan  lane."  A  modest  edifice  was  accord- 
ingly erected  there,  and  was  probably  made  ready  for  oc- 
cupation, in  part  at  least,  early  in  the  year  1783. 

As  Mr.  Tliurston's  health  was  found  to  be  insntlieient  to 
admit  of  his  assuming  the  oflice  of  preceptor,  it  next  became 
necessary  to  choose  a  person  for  that  position.  After  due 
inquiry,  William  Woodbridge,  A.  B.,  of  Glastonbury, 
Connecticut,  a  graduate  of  Yale  College  in  1780,  was 
selected- 

It  was  thought  titling  that  the  inauguration  of  this  new 
seminary  of  learning,  founded  on  a  scale  of  unprecedented 
liberality,  should  be  accompanied  by  public  observances  ;  ac- 
cordingly the  Trustees  appointed  the  Rev.  David  McClure, 
one  of  their  own  number,  to  deliver  a  discourse  on  the  open- 
ing of  the  Academy,  and  the  Rev.  Benjamin  Thurston  to 
make  an  address  to  the  new  preceptor,  on  his  induction  into 
otHce. 

The  first  of  May.  178o,  was  designated  for  the  ceremonies, 
''and  on  that  day,"  says  a  contemporary  record,  "the  lion. 
Founder  and  Trustees,  with  many  other  gentlemen  and  a  re- 
spectable auditory,  attended  in  one  of  the  meeting-houses 
in  this  town.  The  exercises  began  with  singing,  a  prayer 
succeeded  b}*  the  Rev.  Mr.  Rogers,  and  an  Oration  on  the 
advantages  of  Learning  and  its  happy  Tendency  to  promote 
Virtue  and  Piety,  was  delivered  by  Rev.  David  McClure,  A. 
M .,  with  an  Address  to  the  Founder,  Trustees  and  Preceptor. 
The  inaugurating  ceremonies  were  performed  by  Mr.  Thurs- 
ton, a  gentleman  of  the  trust,  with  a  particular  address  and 
charge  to  the  Preceptor.  Mr.  Woodbridge,  the  Preceptor, 
then  publicly  manifested  his  acceptance  of  the  important 
charge,  and  pronounced  an  affectionate  address  to  the  Trus- 
tees and  auditory.  A  prayer  was  made  by  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Mansfield,  and  the  whole  was  concluded  by  singing.  Each 
part  was  performed  with  propriety  and  the  solemnity  sujtq,- 


•_'•_'  iMiiu.ii's   i.\i  n.i; 

hie   to  the  occasion  ;   the   whole  to    universal    acceptance."* 
In   view   of   what  the   school   has   since   grown  to  lie,  it  is 
rather  a  striking  contrast  to  look  liack  to  the  humble  preten- 
sions of  its  infuncv. 

An  unobtrusive  school-house  of  two  stories,  of  the  dimen- 
sions of  a  small  dwelling,  and  divided  into  four  rooms,  not 
all  of  which  were  finished,  supplied  limited  accommodation 
for  forty  students — sometimes  a  much  smaller  number,  and 
this  though  the  tuition  was  gratuitous, — of  whom  two-thirds, 
at  least,  belonged  in  Kxeter,  and  scarcely  any  out  of  its  im- 
mediate vicinity.  The  preceptor's  salary  was  £100  per  an- 
num, and  the  compensation  of  his  single  assistant  was  pro- 
portionally less.  There  was  no  regular  course  of  study,  but 
the  pupils  pursued  such  branches  and  formed  such  classes, 
a>  were  found  most  convenient.  It  was  thought  worthy  of 
m.'iitioi)  in  the  records,  that  a  bell  "to  summon  the  students 
to  their  exercises"  xvas  presented  in  1784  by  Gen.  Henry 
Dearborn  of  revolutionary  fame,  and  other  gentlemen  of 
Kxcter;  and  that  an  electrical  machine  was  given  by  the 
I  Ion.  Phillips  White,  of  South  Hampton.  Such  petty  charg- 
es as  the  cost  of  wood  and  candles  were  apportioned  by  a 
tax  among  the  students,  and  he  who  did  not  pay  his  share, 
forfeited  the  privileges  of  the  Academy  until  his  deficiency 
was  made  good.  And  as  late  as  in  1788  we  learn  that  there 
were  but  two  pupils  in  the  school  who  had  "looked  bexond 
common  reading  and  spelling,  into  the  nn*steries  of  Latin." 
Truly  this  was  the  day  of  small  things. f 

Mr.  Woodbridge  continued  to  act  as  Preceptor  of  the  Acad- 
emy something  over  five  years.  In  June,  1788,  he  announc- 


MI-.  Mc( 'lure's  oration  \\'a.s  published  at  the  time,  together 
with  the  charter  of  the.  Academy,  in  a  Ho.  pamphlet.  It  was  an 
excellent  production,  though  not  exactly  brilliant.  No  better 
illustration  could  be  given  of  the  change  which  a  century  lias 
wrought  in  men's  itleas  of  the  requirements  of  such  an  occasion, 
than  the  comment  of  an  eloquent  divine  of  our  day,  after  reading 
the  oration: — "I  rejoice  to  know  that  there  was  a-  time  when 
men  dared  to  be  dull." 
f Appendix  \). 


,\<   AUK.MV.  23 

ed  to  the  Trustees  his  intention  of  resigning  his  position  in 
the  ensuing  October,  because  of  his  ulow  state  of  health.'' 
There  is  reason  also  to  think  that  the  dwindling  of  the  num- 
ber of  new  pupils  during  the  later  years  of  his  sta}'.  some- 
what discouraged  Mr.  Woodbridge  in  his  .hopes  of  building 
up  a  great  school. 

Inquiry  was  therefore  set  on  foot  for  some  one  with  the 
needful  qualifications  to  supply  the  place  of  Mr.  Woodbridge. 
Fortunately  the  Trustees  succeeded,  with  little  delay,  in  find- 
ing a  young  man  whose  subsequent  career  showed  him  to 
have  a  wonderful  adaptation  for  the  duties  required  of  him. 
Sometime  in  August,  1788,  Benjamin  Abbot,  a  native  of 
Andovcr,  Massachusetts,  and  a  graduate  of  Harvard  College 
of  that  year,  was  secured  for  the  preccptorship  of  the  Acad- 
emy, and  on  the  twenty-second  or  twenty-third  of  the  same 
month  entered  upon  the  duties  of  instruction  and  govern- 
ment of  the  school  ;*  Mr.  Woodbridge  rarely  visiting  it  af- 
wards,  although  his  connection  was  not  formally  severed  un- 
til the  fourteenth  of  October  following.  Here  commenced 
those  relations  between  Benjamin  Abbot  and  Phillips  Exeter 
Academy  which  endured  for  half  a  century,  with  the  result 
of  elevating  the  institution  to  a  rank  unsurpassed  in  this 
country,  and  of  making  its  master,  as  an  educator  and  gov- 
ernor of  youth,  an  exemplar  even  to  our  own  time. 

The  prospects  of  the  school  began  at  once  to  brighten. 
Order  and  method  were  introduced.  The  young  preceptor 
infused  his  own  quiet  force  into  the  boys  under  his  charge, 
and  the  results  were  soon  manifest  in  the  increase  of  their 
numbers.  In  the  first  year  after  Mr.  Abbot's  arrival  as 
many  new  pupils  were  admitted  as  had  been  added  in  the 
three  preceding  years.  But  he  was  a  man  of  singular  pru- 
dence, and  declined  to  connect  himself  permanently  with  the 
school  until  he  had  proved  his  value.  .  It  was  not  until  Octo- 
ber, 1791,  that  he  formally  signified  his  acceptance  of  the  of- 
fice of  Preceptor,  and  this  upon  the  understanding  with  the 
*M$.  letter  of  Charles  Folsom. 


•2  I  IMIII. I .11-    I  \l  II  i; 

Trustees  that  either  party  should  be  at  liberty  to  dissolve  the 
connection,  upon  giving  reasonable  notice.  II  is  salary  \vas 
raised  to  the  sum  of  five  hundred  dollars  per  annum,  and  his 
assistant.  John  P.  Ripley  A.  !>.,  received  two  hundred  dollars. 

In  a  very  few  years  the  situation  of  the  Academy  demand- 
ed an  increase  of  accommodations  tor  the  students.  The 
original  building  was  small  and  unsuitable,  and  the  need  of 
a  larger  and  more  commodious  one  became  pressing,  as  the 
school  augmented.  It  was,  therefore,  determined  in  17'.K>  to 
erect  "a  new  building  for  the  use  of  the  Academy." 

The  committee  for  carrying  the  plan  into  execution  was  ju- 
diciously constituted  of  two  members  of  the  board  of  Trustees, 
the  Hon.  Samuel  Phillips,  .Jr..  and  the  Preceptor  :  the  Treas- 
urer, the  Hon.  John  Taylor  Oilman  :  and  two  public  spirited 
citixens  of  the  town,  the  lion.  Oliver  Pea  body  and  Col.  Na- 
thaniel Oilman.  They  were  empowered  to  procure  a  build- 
ing to  be  erected,  of  certain  specified  dimensions  on  the 
ground;  of  the  height  of  two  stories;  the  materials  to  be 
brick  or  wood  ;  and  vtwith  or  without  a  porch  and  belfry  as 
the  committee,  after  advising  with  the  Trustees  present,  should 
judge  best."  The  location  of  the  building  was  wisely  left  to 
the  determination  of  the  committee,  with  the  concurrence  of 
the  resident  Trustees. 

The  new  edifice  was  completed  in  the  year  17'Jl.  It  was 
constructed  of  wood,  with  a  belfry  and  without  a  portico. 
and  at  a  cost  of  between  seven  and  ten  thousand  dollars. 
With  some  additions  at  a  later  period,  it  fulfilled  its  purpose 
well  until  the  generation  which  witnessed  its  building  had. 
with  scarce  an  exception,  passed  off  the  stage. 

Dr.  Phillips,  who  survived  to  see  the  institution  he  had 
planted,  flourishing  with  a  healthful  and  secure  growth,  died 
in  17'J").  In  the  execution  of  the  power  he  had  reserved  to 
himself  in  the  Consitution.  to  name  his  successor  in  the  board 
of  trust,  he  had  by  a  written  appointment  designated  the 
Hon.  John  Taylor  ( lilman  for  the  ollice,  who  accepted  it .  and 
long  and  assiduously  performed  its  dutio. 


A<  AI'I.MY.  L'.'i 

III  March,  17!»7,  it  was  voted  l>y  the  Trustees  that  any  stu- 
dent who  had  been  a  member  of  the  Academy  lor  six  months 
and  should  appear  on  examination  "to  have  made  valuable 
improvement  in  the  Latin  and  Greek  languages.  Arithme- 
tic, practical  (ieometry,  Logic,  Geography,  Philosophy  and 
Astronomy,"  or  in  any  two  or  more  of  those  studies,  and  had 
sustained  a  good  moral  character,  should  lie  entitled  to  a 
certificate  thereof,  signed  by  the  President  and  Preceptor. 
with  the  seal  of  the  Academy  affixed  thereto. 

There  is  extant,  in  the  3'outhfnl  handwriting  of  Lewis 
('ass.  — in  after  years  the  distinguished  Senator,  Foreign 
Minister  and  Cabinet  Officer, — a  copy  of  the  certificate  which 
was  granted  to  him  by  virtue  of  the  foregoing  vote,  on  his 
leaving  the  Academy.  It  is  in  these  words: 

"PniLLii's   EXKTIM;  ACADEMY. 

"The  Trustees  of  Phillips  Exeter  Academy,  with  a  view  to 
encourage  Industry,  Science  and  Morality,  have  determined 
that  certificates  may  be  granted  to  students  in  certain  cases. 
Be  it  therefore  known  that  Lewis  ('ass  has  been  a  member  of 
the  said  Academy  seven  years,  and  appears  on  examination 
to  have  acquired  the  principles  of  the  English,  French,  Latin 
and  Greek  languages.  Geography,  Arithmetic  and  practical 
(ieometry  :  that  he  has  made  very  valuable  progress  in  the 
study  of  Rhetoric,  History,  Natural  and  Moral  Philosophy, 
Logic.  Astronomy  and  Natural  Law;  and  that  he  has  sus- 
tained a  good  moral  character  during  said  term. 

"In  testimony  whereof  we  hereunto  set  our  hands,  and 
allix  the  seal  of  said  Academy,  this  second  day  of  October, 
one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  ninety-nine. 

'•JOHN  T.  G i I.MAN. 
"BKN.IAMIN  AP.IJOT." 

This  certificate  sheds  some  light  upon  the  fashions  of  work 
done  in  the  Academy  at  that  early  day.  Lewis  ('ass  was 
born  in  17*2  ;  he  therefore  became  a  pupil  when  he  was  ten. 
and  quitted  the  school  when  he  was  seventeen  years  of  age. 


That  there  could  have  been  anv  curriculum  embracing  a  sev- 
en year-'  course  of  study  is  out  of  the  question  :  he  must 
therefore  have  pursued  his  way  alone,  or  in  such  company  as 
chancr  from  time  to  time  brought  him.  The  range  of  sub- 
jects, too.  was  certainly  for  the  time,  very  remarkalile  :  a 
fortunate  circumstance  for  Cass.  who  had  little  opportunity 
afterwards  to  add  to  his  academic  training. 

In  the  year  1 'Sox  a  very  decided  forward  step  was  taken 
in  the  organization  of  tin-  Academy.  The  qualifications  for 
admission  with  a  view  to  an  Knglish  education  were  defined, 
and  apparently  considerably  raised  :  the  head  master  was 
ve-tcd  with  the  title  of  Principal  :  a  professorship  of  Mathe- 
matics and  Natural  Philosophy  was  established,  with  a  compe- 
tent salary;  it  was  voted  expedient  to  reduce  the  number  of 
classes  and  to  establish  a  uniform  system  of  classification,  to 
lie  effected  by  the  Principal  and  Professor;  and  an  appropri- 
ation of  fifty  dollars  annually  was  made,  to  be  distributed  in 
the  shape  of  rewards  or  prizes  to  those  students  who  should 
excel  in  Mathematics,  Writing.  Knglish  composition,  and  in 
knowledge  of  Latin.*  Ebene/er  Adams,  A.  M.  was  chosen 
as  the  first  Professor. 

t'p  to  this  time  all  the  instruction  in  the  Academy  had  been 
furnished  to  the  pupils  gratuitously,  the  only  charges  upon 
them  being  some  trifling  contributions  for  special  purposes. 
But  in  the  year  I*')!',  the  Trustees,  in  view  of  the  increasing 
expenses  of  the  institution,  in  accordance  with  the  known 
expectations  of  the  Founder,  and  in  order  that  they  might  be 
enabled  to  extend  aid  to  the  usual  number  of  students  on  the 
foundation,  voted  that  it  was  necessary  to  require  payment 
from  those  of  sullicicnt  ability,  for  their  tuition.  This  change 
however,  it  was  found  expedient  to  postpone  until  the  first 
of  January,  1*1:.':  after  which  date  the  sum  of  twelve  dol- 
lars per  year,  or  three  dollars  per  term,  became  payable,  for 
tuition. 

The  mansion  house  on  Water  street,  in  which  Dr.    Phillips 

*A]>l>enilix  E. 


A(  AI>K.\n  .  ZV 

had  resided,  came  into  the  possession  of  tin1  Ac:idi>niy  upon 
the  death  of  his  widow,  and  was  occupied  by  the  Principal 
until  about  1X11.  A  year  or  two  previously  the  Trustees 
had  caused  a  dwelling-  house  to  k>  built  lor  the  use  of  1'n  - 
fessor  Adams,  nearly  opposite  the  Academy  grounds  ;  but  ns 
he  soon  afterwards  left  the  io\vn.  Dr.  Abliot  liecame  its  lii>t 
occupant,  while  the  Kev.  Ilosea  Ilildreth.  who  in  1X11  suc- 
ceeded Professor  Adams  in  the  Mathematical  chair,  took 
possession  of  the  Phillips  house.* 

In  1X17  the  Kev.  Isaac  Ilurd,  then  about  to  be  settled 
over  the  second  parish  in  Exeter,  received  the  appointment 
of  Instructor  in  Theology .  It  had  been  unquestionably  the 
original  expectation  of  the  Founder  to  make  theological  in- 
struction a  part  of  the  regular  course  in  the  Academy;  with 
the  idea,  possibly,  that  a  seminary  for  the  education  o!'  stu- 
dents for  the  religious  ministry  would  eventually  grow  out  of 
it.  as  has  been  the  cas^  in  the  sister  institution  at  Andover. 
Accordingly,  in  1790,  during  Dr.  Phillips'  lifetime,  the  Rev. 
Joseph  Buckminster  was  elected,  by  the  Trustees,  Professor 
of  Divinity  in  the  Academy,  with  a  salary  equal  to  that  of  the 
Preceptor.  But  he  declined  the  of  lice. 

No  other  person  was  chosen  in  his  stead  :  but  for  many 
years  afterwards  appropriations  were  made  by  the  Trustees 
from  time  to  time,  of  11101103*8  to  defray  the  expenses  of  stu- 
dents in  divinity,  who  pursued  their  studies  under  the  direc- 
tion of  neighboring  clergymen,  such  as  the  Kev.  Jesse  Ap- 
pletou,  of  Hampton,  the  Kev.  Joseph  Buckminster,  of 
Portsmouth,  and  the  Kev.  Daniel  Dana,  of  Xewburyport. 


*It  is  related,  as  an  indication  of  the  change  which  time  pro- 
duces even  in  small  places,  that  Dr.  Abbot  and  his  family  re- 
moved tn  their  new  abode  with  reluctance,  because,  besides  being 
in  the  midst  of  the  sands,  it  was  out  of  the  way  of  all  their  friends 
and  neighbors.  Exeter  lias  since  yielded  to  the  law  that  "all 
towns  grow  to  the  westward."  and  the  house  is  now  nearly  in  the 
centre  of  her  inhabitants.  In  the  more  than  seventy  years  of  its 
existence,  it  has  sheltered  but  two  families,  -those  ol  the  first 
two  Principals.  The  venerable  widow  of  Dr.  Sonic  occupied  it 
up  to  the  time  of  her  decease,  the  ninth  day  of  May.  INS:!. 


28  nnu.li-> 

who  were  named  by  the  Trustees  as  committees  tor  the 
purpose. 

It  may  b;>  added  here  that  n<>  further  attempt  \vas  made 
during  the  life  of  the  Founder,  or  afterwards,  to  establish  a 
professorship  of  Divinity,  and  that  Mr.  Ilurd  ceased  to  hold 
the  post  of  Theological  Instructor  in  the  year  is:1,'.).  Since 
that  time  there  has  been  no  special  teacher  of  religions 
science  in  the  Academy,  but  it  has  been  treated  as  the  duty 
of  the  regular  instructors  to  ••form  the  Morals." — to  use  the 
language  of  the  "•Constitution," — as  well  as  to  "enlarge  the 
Minds  of  the  youth  committed  to  their  care." 

The  standing  and  popular  estimate  of  the  Academy  had.  in 
the  year  1X18,  risen  so  high  that  it  became  necessary  to 
define  anew  the  course  of  study,  to  draw  a  strict,  line  of  dis- 
tinction between  the  English  and  classical  departments,  and 
to  adopt  more  stringent  regulations  in  respect  to  the  recep- 
tion of  pupils. 

Candidates  for  admission  were  required  thenceforth  to  fur- 
nish evidence  of  their  good  moral  character,  and  to  give  as- 
surance of  their  intention  to  remain  at  the  Academy  until 
they  should  complete  the  usual  routine  of  preparation  for 
college,  or  the  established  course  of  English  study.  The 
time  fixed  for  their  admission  was  at  the  beginning  of  the 
term  next  succeeding  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Trustees  in 
August;  provided,  however,  that  any  one  found  duly  quali- 
fied, might  lie  received  at  advanced  standing,  at  the  discre- 
tion of  the  instructors.  The  department  of  languages  was 
to  comprise'  three  classes,  or  N^ears,  for  preparation  to  enter 
college,  and  an  advanced  class  to  prosecute  the  studies  of 
the  first  collegiate  3'car.  The  course  of  English  study  was 
also  to  occupy  three  years.  Theological  instruction  was  to 
be  given  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ilurd,  and  sacred  music  was  to  be 
taught,  a  fund  of  8101)0  having  been  bequeathed  by  the  lion. 
Nicholas  (iilman  in  1*11,  the  income  of  which  was  to  be  ap- 
plied to  that  object.  A  permanent  assistant  teacher  was  also 
engaged,  at  an  annual  salary  of  six  hundred  dollars. 


The  particular  studies  aii'l  text  bo:>ks  for  cadi  year.  l>oth  in 
th  •  C'.MS  ;ical  and  th:1  English  c  >urso,  w.-iv  at  this  time  specifi- 
cally designated,  and  will  lie  given  in  th"  Appendix,  for  tin- 
purpose  of  comparison  with  tin1  work  required  at  the  present 
day.* 

In  1x21.  the  convenient  accommodation  of  thc-studcnts re- 
quiring additional  spa;-;'  in  th:1  sell  >:>!  building,  wind's  of  a 
single  story  were  allixed  to  the  eastern  and  western  ends 
thereof,  each  containing  a  school  room  of  ample  size.  They 
added  much  to  the  symmetry  of  the  structure,  as  well  as  to 
its  convenience  :  and  the  appearance  of  the  building  as  thus 
extended,  is  well  remembered  by  most  of  the  older  Alumni. 

Thus  improved  in  organization  and  in  accommodations,  the 
Academy  for  years  kept  on  the  even  tenor  of  its  way,  ever 
changing,  yet  the  same.  The  number  of  students  was  usual- 
ly fixed  at  seventy,  and  varied  little  from  it.  At  length  Dr. 
Abbot, — lie  had  received  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Laws. 
honoris  causa,  from  Dartmouth  College  in  1811, — who  was 
blessed  with  a  vigorous  constitution  and  up  to  this  time  had 
enjoyed  almost  uninterrupted  health,  began  to  feel  the  effects 
of  his  long  continued  labors  and  responsibilities:  and  in  the 
year  1832  made  application  to  the  board  of  Trustees  for 
some  respite  or  relief,  submitting  to  them  the  question  whcih- 
cr  his  resignation  would  be  acceptable.  They  were  unwill- 
ing that  he  should  sunder  his  connection  with  the  Academy, 
and  made  an  arrangement  with  him,  whereby  by  lessening 
the  number  of  students,  and  confining  them  rigidly  to  the 
fixed  classes,  the  Principal  was  relieved  of  a  portion  of  his 
labor.  This  arrangement  continued  until  l<S:ii;,  when  at  the 
request  of  Dr.  Abbot  an  additional  instructor  was  appointed, 
for  the  purpose  of  exempting  him  from  the  larger  portion  of 
his  active  duties.  For  the  last  }'ear  or  two  of  his  service  as 
Principal  his  attendance  at  recitations  was  limited  to  two 
quarters  of  days  in  each  week. 

The  close  of  the  half  century  of  Dr.  Abbot's  charge  of  the 

*  Appendix  V. 


rU>  run. 1. 11-    I  \i  TI  i; 

school  now  drew  near,  and  l»y  the  desire  of  many  of  his  old 
pupils  he  postponed  his  retirement  until  that  period  should 
be  completed.  All  united  in  the  opinion  that  the  termina- 
tion of  a  career  so  long  and  so  Anally  honorable  and  useful 
should  be  marked  by'  public  manifestations  worthy  of  the  oc- 
casion. A  Committee  of  Arrangem .Mils,  consisting  of  a  num- 
ber of  gentlemen  of  note,  Alumni  of  the  Academy,  made  all 
the  needful  preparations  for  holding  what  was  appropriately 
termed  the  "Abbot  Festival,"  and  appointed  the  twenty-third 
of  August,  1838,  as  the  day  of  its  occurrence. 

It  was  au  event  to  be  remembered  by  every  one  who  wit- 
nessed it.  A  beautiful  summer  day  enabled  all  to  enjoy  the 
exercises  without  discomfort,  and  the  number  of  persons  as- 
sembled, considering  the  limited  means  *of  transportation  at 
that  dak',  \va>  >urprising^  It  was  estimated  that  nearly  four 
hundred  of  the  Alumni  were  present,  besides  a  scarcely  less 
number  of  strangers  who  had  not  enjoyed  the  privileges  of 
the  institution. 

At  eleven  o'clock  in  the  forenoon,  in  accordance  with  the 
programme,  a  meeting  of  the  Alumni  was  held,  in  the  Acad- 
emy yard,  about  the  eastern  wing  of  the  building.  Daniel 
Webster  was  appointed  chairman,  and  Charles  Folsom  and 
Oliver  W.  B.  Peabody,  Secretaries.  The  exercises  wen- 
opened  with  a  prayer  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  John  G.  Palfrey.  Mr. 
Webster  then  explained  in  a  brief  and  impressive  address 
the  object  of  the  meeting,  and  read  the  communication  of 
Dr.  Abbot  to  the  Trustees,  in  which  he  apprised  them  of  his 
intention  to  retire  from  the  office  of  Principal,  and  their  re- 
sponse thereto.*  ITc  also  read  an  interesting  letter  from  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Daniel  Dana,  of  Ncwburyport,  long  a  member  of  the 
board  of  Trustees,  who  was  unable  to  be  present  on  the  occa- 
sion. 

The  Hon.  Leveret t  Saltonstall,  chairman  of  the'Committee 
of  Arrangements,  then  submitted  a  report  in  their  behalf. 
He  said  their  efforts  had  been  directed  in  four  several  ends. 

*Appendix  G. 


ACADKMV.  31 

all  designed  to  do  honor  to  the  venerated  Principal  on  his 
surrender  of  the  duties  which  he  had  discharged  so  long  and 
so  ably; — first,  to  secure  a  gathering  of  the  Alumni,  at  the 
Abbot  Festival ;  second,  to  obtain  a  painted  portrait  of  Ur. 
Abbot,  to  be  placed  in  the  Academy  ;  third,  to  procure  a 
handsome  piece  of  plate  to  be  presented  to  him  as  a  token  of 
respect  from  his  old  pupils  ;  and  fourth,  to  found  and  endow 
a  permanent  scholarship  in  Harvard  College,  as  a  memorial 
of  Dr.  Abbot,  and  to  bear  his  name.  All  these  purposes  the 
Committee  had  succeeded  in  accomplishing,  except  the  last, 
and  they  had  the  assurance  that  in  due  time  that  also  would 
be  effected. 

The  Report  concluded  with  a  Resolution  expressing  in 
terms  of  gratitude  and  affectionate  regard  the  sense  enter- 
tained by  the  meeting  of  the  inestimable  value  of  the  faith- 
ful and  long  continued  services  of  Dr.  Abbot.  The  Resolu- 
tion was  advocated  with  feeling  and  eloquence  by  the  Rev. 
Henry  Ware,  Jr.,  Gov.  Edward  Everett,*  the  Rev.  J)r.  1'al- 
frey,  Judge  Peter  O.  Thaclier,  and  the  Hon.  Jonathan  Chap- 
man, and  was  unanimously  adopted. 

At  the  close  of  these  preliminary  exercises  the  Alumni  re- 
paired to  the  hall  of  the  Academy,  and  there  paid  their  res- 
pects to  the  venerable  recipient  of  the  honors  of  the  day. 

At  the  hour  of  half-past  one  in  the  afternoon  a  procession 
was  formed  and  marshalled  to  the  dinner  table.  A  blessing 
was  asked  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  John  II.  Morison.  After  the 
meat,  Mr.  Webster,  who  presided,  addressed  the  company 
in  an  appropriate,  eloquent  and  touching  manner.  It  is 
much  to  be  regretted  that  his  remarks,  which  occupied  an 
hour  in  the  deliver}',  were  not  reported  with  sufficient  fulness 
to  give  us  any  adequate  idea  of  their  scope  or  merit.  From 
the  journals  of  the  day  this  imperfect  account  is  obtained. 

"We  have  often  heard  Mr.   Webster,  but  never  on  an}' 


*Gov.  Everett's  remarks  on  this  occasion  are  reported  in  full,  in 
his  elegant,  expansive  style,  in  one  of  the  volumes  of  his  collected 
works. 


ClIll.l.ll-S     KM    I  I   !: 

occasion  when  In-  appeared  to  better  advantage  than  on  this. 
IIi>  \v:is  emphatically  eloquent  and  truly  himself.  Ilrnol 
only  drew  tears  from  tlu1  venerable  m:!!i  in  whose  honor 
\ve  had  assembled,  but  from  very  many  of  the  numerous  au- 
dience." 

"lie  rec:illed  the  attention  of  the  assembly  to  the  olijeets  for 
which  they  h:id  met.  He  recurred  to  the  services  which  had 
Iteen  rendered,  during  his  lonu  term  of  arduous  duty,  by  their 
re.-pected  friend  now  retirinii  from  the  Held  of  active  service  : 
passed  a  ulowinn;  culo^inm  upon  the  character  and  worth  of 
the  accomplished  instructors  of  youth  of  whom  he  described 
their  friend  as  a  conspicuous  example:  and  dwelt  at  consid- 
erable length  in  a  series  of  just  remarks  and  forcible  illustra- 
tions, upon  the  importance  to  the  welfare  of  the  community 
of  judicious  systems  of  instruction,  and  the  labors  of  able 
and  faithful  instructors  of  youth.  lie  concluded  by  an 
affectionate  address  in  the  name  of  his  fellow  students  to 
their  Preceptor,  and  by  presenting  him  a  pie;  e  of  plate 
(which  had  in  the  meantime  been  placed  before  him.)  as  a 
token  of  their  regard."' 

This  was  an  elegant  and  massive  vase  of  silver,  bearinu 
an  inscription  commemorative  of  the  occasion. 

Dr.  Abbot  rose  to  reply.  Foreseeing  that  the  trying  na- 
ture of  his  position  would  incapacitate  him  for  making  an 

"In  the  process  of  arrau^in^  the  considerable  collection  of  Mr. 
Webster's  papers,  presented  al'ler  his  death  by  the  lion.  I'eler 
Harvey  to  the  New  Hampshire  Historical  Society,  a  couple  of 
folded  sheets  were  found  hearing  the  indorsement, — "Kxeter 
Academy  Celebration."  It  was  a  disappointment  to  find  that 
when  opened  they  contained  not  even  the  heads  of  Mr.  Webster's 
address,  but  onl^y  the  two  following  Latin  quotations  which  he 
undoubtedly  introduced  therein,  and  which  were  singularly  appo- 
site to  the  occasion. 

••Arceliat  emu  ab  illecebris  peecanlinm,  pra-ler  ipsius  bonam 
integr&mque oaturam,  <|iiod  statim  parvulus  sedeni  ac  mairisti-ani 
Stnmorum  Massiliam  liabuit,  locum  (Jra-ea  comilate  et  provin- 
ciali  ])arsimonia  inixtum  ac  Itenc  compo>itnm." 

"Mihi  ille  detur  pner  i|iiem  laus  exeitet,  i|uem  gloria  juvet, 
(|iii  victus  lleat.  Hie  erit  alendiis  ambiln.  Inme  mordebil  olijur- 
patio,  Inme  honor  exeitabit,  in  hoe  desidiam  mmqiiam  vereli  »r." 


\<    \HKMY  83 

extemporaneous  response,  he  hud  committed  what  In-  wished 
to  say.  to  writing  ;  but  he  found  when  the  critical  moment 
arrived,  that  his  emotions  were  too  great  for  utterance.  (iov. 
Everett  with  ready  sympathy  came  to  his  relief.  ' -Breth- 
ren," said  he,  "the  voice  that  has  never  i'ailed  for  a  day.  in 
lifty  years'  teaching,  now  falters  ;"  and  receiving  the  manu- 
script from  his  old  master's  hand,  he  read  its  contents,  with 
characteristic  grace  and  impressiveness,  to  the  assembly.  As 
might  have  been  expected  from  their  author.  Dr.  Abbot's  ac- 
knowledgements were  eminently  suitable  to  the  occasion, 
modest,  grateful  and  dignified. 

Then  sprang  up  a  friendly  rivalry  between  the  eminent 
Alumni  present.,  who  should  most  gratefully  express  his  sense 
of  the  worth  of  their  old  Preceptor,  and  of  his  own  personal 
indebtedness  to  him.  Other  gentlemen  also,  some  of  whom 
had  been  his  associates  in  the  duties  of  instruction,  and  some 
who  knew  him  only  by  his  works,  united  with  the  Alumni  in 
bearing  testimony  to  his  excellences  as  a  teacher  and  as  a 
man. 

If  laudari  a  laadatis  viris  be  any  compensation  for  a  life- 
time spent  in  the  discharge  of  high  and  onerous  duty,  then 
must  Dr.  Abbot  have  felt  abundantly  repaid  for  the  pains  he 
had  bestowed  upon  the  generations  who  had  been  under  his 
tutelage,  when  he  found  himself  the  subject  of  so  hearty, 
sincere,  discriminating  eulogy  from  men  of  the  character  of 
Edward  Everett,  Nicholas  Emery,  John  (J.  Palfrey.  (Jeorge 
Lunt,  John  P.  Hale,  Jonathan  Chapman,  Alexander  II.  Ev- 
erett. Peter  ().  Thatcher,  (lideon  L.  Soule,  Henry  Ware,  Jr., 
Prentiss  Mellen,  Charles  S.  Daveis,  Caleb  dishing,  Ichabod 
Nichols,  and  others  who  took  part  in  these'  i  xercises. 

But  perhaps  nothing  that  was  said  attracted  more  atten- 
tion than  the  opening  remarks  of  the  venerable  Judge  Jere- 
miah Smith  : — '-I  can  claim  a  distinction  which  belongs  to  no 
other  man  living.  You  were  Dr.  Abbot's  scholars.  I  was 
his  teacher."  "I  then  thought  him.  and  have  since  found 
him.  exactly  titled  for  the  station  in  which  Providence  placed 


PHILLIPS    KXKTKR 

him."  It  was  while  Dr.  Abbot  was  pursuing  bis  preparatory 
studies  at  Andover,  that  the  speaker,  then  an  assistant  in  tin- 
Academy  there,  enjoyed  the  privilege  of  speeding  on  the 
pathway  of  learning,  the  youth,  who  was  now,  after  accom- 
plishing his  useful  and  meritorious  life  work,  about  to  quit 
the  seem-  of  his  labors  and  his  triumphs. 

Three  odes  were  composed  for  this  occasion,  and  were 
sung  from  printed  copies,  during  the  exercises,  by  the  entire 
company,  with  feeling  and  expression.  One  of  them,  which 
was  again  sung,  thirty-four  years  afterward,  on  a  similar  oc- 
casion, when  the  dedication  of  the  new  Academy  building, 
was  substantially  united  with  the  Farewell  to  Dr.  Gideon  L. 
Soule  on  his  retirement  from  the  Principal's  chair,  and  may 
therefore  fairly  be  considered  as  the  Academy  Song,  is  here 
given.* 

SONU    I'Olt    TIIK    A1WOT    FKST1VAI.. 
BY  KEY.   HENKY   WAKE,  JK. 

Tune,  "<S'a/((/y  and  Jenny." 

From  highways  and  byways  of  manhood  we  come, 
And  gather,  like  children,  about  our  old  home; 
We  return  from  life's  weariness,  tumult  and  pain, 
Kejoiced  in  our  hearts  to  be  schoolboys  again. 

The  Senator  comes  from  the  hall  of  debate, 
The  Governor  steps  from  the  high  chair  of  State, 
The  Judge  leaves  the  bench  to  the  law's  wise  delay, 
Kejoiced  to  be  schoolboys  again  for  a  day. 

The  Parson  his  pulpit  has  left  misapplied. 
The  Doctor  has  put  his  old  sulky  aside, 
The  Lawyer  his  client  has  turned  from  the  door, 
And  all  are  at  Exeter, — schoolboys  once  more. 

Oli,  glad  to  our  eyes  are  these  dear  scenes  displayed, 
The  halls  where  we  studied,  the  fields  where  we  played, 


*For  the  other  two  odes,  see  Appendix  II.  One  of  them  is  said 
to  have  been  written  by  Mr.  Abel  F.  Hildreth,  an  old  pupil,  and 
long  the  respected  head  of  the  1'inkertou  Academy  in  Derry,  New 
Hampshire.  He  was  present  on  this  occasion,  and  no  doubt  led 
with  his  powerful  and  well  trained  voice,  the  singing  of  the  sev- 
eral pieces, 


\<  ADEMY.  85 

Tin-re  is  change— there  is  change — but  we  will  not  deplore, 
Enough  that  we  feel  ourselves  schoolboys  ouee  more. 

Kiiotigh  that  once  more  our  old  Master  we  meet, 
The  same  as  of  yore  when  we  sat  at  his  feet, 
Let  us  place  on  his  brow  every  laurel  we've  won, 
And  show  that  each  pupil  is  also  a  sou. 

And  when  to  the  harsh  scenes  of  life  we  return, 
Our  hearts  with  the  glow  of  this  meeting  shall  burn  ; 
Its  calm  light  shall  cheer  till  earth's  schooltime  is  o'er, 
And  prepare  us  in  Heaven  for  one  meeting  more. 

In  the  evening  Dr.  Abbot's  house  was  thrown  open  and 
crowded  with  ladies  and  gentlemen,  anxious  to  pay  him  their 
respects  ;  and  a  soiree  was  held  at  the  Squamscott  House. 
The  ceremonies  of  the  day  were  in  every  respect  worthy  of 
the  extraordinary  occasion,  and  afforded  complete  satisfac- 
tion to  the  friends  of  the  Academy. 


;ili  mil. I. II-     I.M.TI.K 


III. 

TIIK  ACADKMV  ;    l.s:'.s  to   l.s,s:i. 

Al'lcr  Dr.  Abbot's  resignation  \vns  linally  accepted,  the 
•Trustees  unanimously  made,  choice  of  (lideon  L.  Souk',  A. 
M..  Prof esspr  of  Ancient  Languages,  as  his  successor.  He 

had  been  for  more  than  sixteen  years  an  associate  of  Dr.  Ab- 
bot in  the  corp.s  of  instructors,  and  by  reason  of  the  impaired 
health  of  the  latter  had  practically  exercised  the  powers  o!' 
Principal  lor  some  time  prior  to  his  election,  lie  was  there- 
fore perfectly  familiar  with  the  methods  and  the  traditions  of 
the  institution,  and  no  immediate  changes  in  the  administra- 
tion, worthy  of  note,  occurred  on  the  transfer  of  authority 
from  the  old  to  the  new  head  of  the  school. 

The  English  department,  which  had  been  instituted  as  a 
distinct  branch  in  1808,  was  deemed,  forty  years  afterward, 
to  have:  diminished  in  importance.  The  number  of  acade- 
mies and  high  schools  in  the  country,  where  English  studies 
could  be  conveniently  pursued,  had  in  that  period  greatly  in- 
creased. For  this  reason,  and  because  also  in  that  division 
of  the  Academy  '-not  one  for  the  last  seven  years  had  com- 
pleted the  course  of  study  prescribed,"  the  English  depart- 
ment, as  a  distinct  feature  of  the  school,  was  discontinued. 
This,  however,  was  not  construed  to  debar  any  individual 
members  of  the  Academy  who  might  choose  to  do  so,  from 
prosecuting  a  more  complete  course  of  study  in  the  English 
branches  than  that  included  in  the  ordinary  preparation  for 
college, 


ACADEMY.  :>  / 

It  luid  always  been  the  aim  of  the  Trustees,  from  the  open- 
ing of  the  Academy,  to  render  the  charitable  aid  provided  by 
the  Founder,  of  the  highest  possible  utility  to  those  who  en- 
joyed it.  In  the  earlier  days,  when  the  cost  of  the  necessa- 
ries of  life  was  small,  the  allowance  made  from  the  founda- 
tion to  indigent  students,  was  sufficient  for  their  comfortable 
subsistence.  But  as  the  number  of  students  increased,  while 
fewer  of  the  families  resident  in  the  town  were  willing  to  re- 
ceive them  as  boarders,  and  the  cost  of  living  steadily  ad- 
vanced, it  was  at  length  found  that  the  sum  allotted  to  each 
beneficiary  was  wholly  inadequate  to  his  support.  The  Trus- 
tees, therefore,  determined  to  establish  at  the  charge  of  the 
Acadeni}*,  a  dormitoiy  and  commons  hall  for  the  members  of 
the  school  of  limited  means,  by  which  the  expense  of  living 
should  be  reduced  to  the  minimum.  The  experiment  was 
lirst  made  in  the  building  owned  by  the  Academy  on  Spring 
street,  which  had  formerly  been  the  printing  establishment 
of  the  Messrs.  Williams.  Here  the  rooms  were  rented  for 
a  merely  nominal  sum,  and  the  board  was  furnished  at  the 
exact  cost.  The  result  of  the  experiment  was  so  satisfac- 
tory that  in  1852  the  Trustees  voted  to  erect  a  more  suitable 
and  capacious  building  for  the  same  purpose,  in  the  Academy 
grounds.  It  was  completed  and  opened  for  use  in  1855.  It 
was  constructed  of  brick,  and  contained  rooms  for  fifty  young 
men,  with  a  dining  hall  and  other  needful  accommodations  ; 
and  cost  about  twenty  thousand  dollars.  The  name  of 
Abbot  Hall  was  appropriately  given  to  it.  The  building  has 
fully  answered  the  uses  for  which  it  was  designed.  Every 
room  in  it  has  been  constantly  occupied,  and  the  inmates 
have  been  enabled  to  live  with  entire  comfort  at  about  one- 
half  the  ordinary  charges  of  the  boarding  houses. 

The  size  and  importance  of  the  school,  and  the  number  of 
its  instructors,  seemed  now  to  demand  a  more  systematic 
administration  ;  and  it  was  thought  expedient,  in  1857,  to  in- 
vest the  Principal,  Professors  and  permanent  instructors  with 
the  powers  of  a  regular  Faculty.  This  arrangement  has  ever 


38  I'I1IU.I1'>    l.Xl.TKK 

since  boon  maintained,  and  lias  been  I'ound  to  conduce  to 
harmony,  to  uniformity  in  discipline,  and  to  higher  respect 
for  authority,  in  the  school. 

It  was  in  the  year  1857  that  an  application  was  made  to 
the  Trustees  to  modify  the  regulations  of  the  Academy  so  fai- 
ns to  allow  girls  to  be  admitted  as  pupils.  It  is  not  known 
whether  the  project  met  the  approval  of  any  members  of  the 
board,  for  the  petitioners,  upon  learning  that  it  was  strongly 
objected  to  by  some  of  them,  thought  proper  to  withdraw 
the  application. 

The  year  1858  witnessed  a  notable  innovation  in  the 
Academy.  Up  to  that  date  the  pupils  had  been  required  to 
do  the  greater  part  of  the  preparation,  as  well  as  the  recita- 
tion, of  their  lessons  in  the  school-rooms,  which  necessarily 
confined,  them  therein  for  five  or  six  hours  on  every  week 
day,  Wednesday  and  Saturday  excepted,  when  the  sessions 
were  abbreviated  about  one-half.  Besides  being  irksome  to 
both  teachers  and  pupils,  this  method  was  objectionable  on 
sanitary  grounds ;  but  probably  another  consideration  had 
much  weight  with  the  authorities  of  the  Academy  in  induc- 
ing them  to  change  it. 

The  plan  of  keeping  the  pupils  under  constant  sur- 
veillance had  never  been  practiced  in  this  Academy.  All 
the  liberty  that  was  consistent  with  good  discipline  had  al- 
ways been  granted  them.  They  were  treated  as  little  like 
children,  and  as  nearly  like  men,  as  their  conduct  would  war- 
rant. The  habit  of  self-reliance  and  self-government  had 
been  so  thoroughly  inculcated  by  these  practical  lessons, 
that  the  authorities  felt  justified  in  putting  the  students  upon 
the  footing  of  those  in  more  advanced  institutions.  Our 
colleges  and  professional  seminaries  required  the  presence 
of  their  students  only  at  recitations  and  prayers,  and  per- 
mitted them  to  pass  the  remainder  of  their  time  at  their 
rooms.  In  Phillips  Academy,  at  Audover,  the  older  part  of 
the  pupils,  at  least,  enjoyed  the  same  privilege.  It  was  not 
doubted  that  equal  freedom  might  be  allowed  all  the  students 


ACADEMY.  39 

of  this  Academy,  without  danger  of  abuse.  The  former  rule 
was  therefore  relaxed,  and  "stuctying  out  of  school,"  by 
young  and  old  alike,  was  introduced.  It  has  proved,  to 
all  concerned,  teachers  and  learners  alike,  a  great  physical 
relief,  and  has  operated  in  no  way  to  the  detriment  of  the 
isuhool.  The  character  and  quantity  of  the  work  done  under 
the  new  regime  have  fully  equalled,  if  they  have  not  exceed- 
ed, the  former  standard. 

In  the  year  1859,  Professor  Joseph  G.  Hoyt,  who  had 
been  connected  with  the  Academy  in  the  department  of 
Mathematics  for  nearly  eighteen  years,  resigned  the  position, 
to  accept  the  office  of  Chancellor  of  the  Washington  Univer- 
sity at  St.  Louis. 

In  the  year  1862  the  Rev.  John  Langdon  Sibley,  long  the 
excellent  Librarian  of  Harvard  College,  laid  the  foundations 
of  a  separate  charity  fund,  which,  by  subsequent  additions 
and  stipulations,  was  to  be  allowed  to  accumulate,  by  adding 
the  yearly  interest  to  the  principal,  until  it  reached  the 
amount  of  8100,000,  after  which  the  income  was  to  be  applied 
within  certain  restrictions,  to  the  aid  of  students  of  the  Acad- 
emy, "of  poverty  and  merit."  The  endowment  was  to  be 
known  by  the  name  of  the  "Sibley  Charity  Fund,"  and  was 
to  be  regarded  as  a  memorial  of  the  donor's  father,  Dr.  Jon- 
athan Sible,}*,  a  native  of  New  Hampshire,  and  long  a  resi- 
dent of  Maine,  from  whose  accumulations  it  was  in  part 
derived.  He  had  always  deeply  sympathized  with  young 
men  struggling  to  obtain  an  education,  and  was  especially 
grateful  to  this  Academy  for  the  assistance  which  it  furnished 
his  son  in  his  preparation  for  College.  The  Trustees  accept- 
ed the  gift  with  the  stipulations  annexed  to  it.  The  fund 
now  amounts  to  about  $34,000. 

On  the  night  of  the  seventeenth  of  December,  1870,  the  old 
Academy  building,  which  was  erected  in  1794,  and  enlarged 
in  1821,  was  destroyed  by  fire.  It  had  long  been  felt  to  be 
inconveniently  small  and  unsuitable,  for  the  increasing  num- 
ber of  students  ;  but  its  proportions  were  architecturallv 


40  PHILLIPS    l\l  111; 

harmonious,  and  it  was  so  associated  in  the  minds  of 
thousands  of  Alumni  with  the  pleasant  period  of  their 
school-days,  that  its  disappearance, caused  a  pang  in  many 
a  breast. 

But  not  a  moment's  doubt  rested  in  the  minds  of  the  friends 
of  the  Academy,  of  the  readiness  of  grateful  and  philanthrop- 
ic hearts  to  do  more  than  make  good  the  loss.  Three  days 
after  the  catastrophe,  a  committee  of  the  Trustees  published 
a  statement  of  what  was  needed  to  enable  the  Academy  to 
replace  the  former  building  with  a  new  and  more  convenient 
one,  and  an  appeal  to  the  Alumni  and  friends  of  the  school 
to  contribute  the  means  for  the  purpose.  The  call  was 
promptly  responded  to,  and  immediate  subscriptions  enabled 
the  committee  to  proceed  with  the  work  of  rebuilding,  with- 
out delay,  and  the  whole  needed  amount  of  nearly  $50,000 
was  seasonably  obtained.* 

The  new  building  was  completed  in  the  early  part  of  1872. 
It  was  placed  nearly  on  the  spot  where  its  predecessor  for 
more  than  three-quarters  of  a  century  had  stood.  It  was 
designedly  made  not  unlike  that,  in  its  general  outlines,  but 
its  material  was  brick,  its  dimensions  were  much  enlarged 
and  many  improvements  introduced.  Altogether  the  new 
home  of  the  school  was  far  more  elegant,  commodious  and 
suitable  than  the  old. 

By  a  general  understanding,  and  without  the  expenditure 
of  any  special  effort,  the  opening  of  the  new  edifice,  erected 
by  the  munificence  of  those  who  loved  and  valued  the  Acad- 
emy, was  to  be  made  a  red-letter  day  in  its  calendar.  The 
occasion  in  fact  possessed  a  double  interest,  for  it  also  com- 
memorated the  completion  of  the  semi-centenary  of  Dr. 
Soule's  continuous  service  in  the  Academy.  The  venerable 
second  Principal  had  sought  to  be  relieved  of  his  charge  at 
this  time,  but,  at  the  instance  of  the  Trustees,  consented  to 


*Among  the  many  noble  contributions  for  this  object,  it  is  iuter- 
ot ing  to  note  that  the  largest  one  of  $10,000,  was  irom  William 
Phillips,  Esq.,  of  Boston,  a  kinsman  of  the  Founder. 


ACADEMY,  41 

hold   his  ollice,   though    freed   from  its  more  onerous  duties, 
for  a  }*ear  longer. 

The  new  Academy  building  was  dedicated  on  the  nine- 
teenth day  of  June,  187*2.  The  Trustees  had  designated  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Andrew  P.  Peabody,  President  of  the  board,  to  de- 
liver the  dedicatory  address;  and  the  gathering  of  Alumni, 
invited  guests  and  others,  to  witness  the  ceremonies, 
was  imposing.  The  exercises  of  the  morning  were  held  in 
the  new  and  spacious  Academy  hall,  which  was  thronged. 
A  number  of  gentlemen  of  distinction  were  placed  upon  the 
stage,  while  portraits  of  the  Founder  and  of  other  benefac- 
tors, trustees  and  teachers,  gathered  in  great  part  by 
the  exertions  of  one  of  the  Alumni,*  looked  down  from 
the  walls.  The  Rev.  Dr.  John  H.  Morison  opened  the 
exercises  with  an  appropriate  pra}*cr  ;  after  which  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Peabody  delivered  his  admirable  address,  which  is  acces- 
sible in  print,  and  needs  no  further  notice  here. 

In  the  afternoon  a  procession  was  formed,  and  marched 
to  the  town  hall,  where  the  dinner  was  served.  The  Rev. 
Dr.  Palfrey  presided  at  the  tables,  and  in  due  time  invited 
the  attention  of  the  company  to  the  intellectual  part  of  the 
feast.  He  pronounced  a  merited  encomium  upon  the  wisdom 
and  philanthropy  of  the  Founder,  and  exhibited  some  inter- 
esting relics  of  him,  which  had  been  presented  by  his 
family.  Announcing  as  the  first  sentiment,  to  be  drunk  in 
pure  water,  "the  memory  of  the  Founder,"  he  called  upon 
the  oldest  graduate  present,  the  venerable  John  Swasey.  of 
Bucksport,  Maine,  who  made  a  happy  response. 

Wendell  Phillips,  the  well  known  orator  and  reformer,  was 
then  introduced,  amid  acclamations.  He  said  that  his  rela- 
tionship to  the  Founder  was  so  distant,  that  he  could  speak 
of  his  endowment  of  the  Acadenry  without  a  pang,  and  of 
his  virtues  as  frccl}'  as  if  they  adorned  any  other  name. 
He  adverted  to  Dr.  Phillips'  rigid  econonn'  in  his  personal 


."The   lion.    Benjamin   F.    Prcscott,    since   Governor   of  \»>w 
Hampshire. 


42  I'M i i.i. i rs  KM: MI; 

expenses,  and  of  his  liberality  to  the  clergy,  which  he  illus- 
trated by  pertinent  anecdotes.  He  applauded  the  example 
so  early  set  by  the  Phillips  family,  of  employing  their  wealth 
for  the  enlargement  of  the  means  of  education  ;  but  admired 
still  more  the  faithfulness  of  the  Trustees  of  the  Academy 
who  had  accomplished  so  great  results,  not  only  without 
diminution  of  the  fund,  but  while  increasing  it  to  twice  its 
original  dimensions.  More  is  required  of  us,  he  said,  than 
of  our  fathers,  on  account  of  our  present  opportunities;  we 
shall  not  do  as  well  as  they  did,  unless  we  surpass  them. 
He  lamented  that  the  earl}'  fashion  of  uniting  work  with 
stud}*  was  not  still  preserved.  There  is  now  too  much  book 
education  and  too  little  practical  education.  He  lamented 
also,  the  timidity  that  prevailed  among  the  educated  men  of 
America.  They  no  longer  lead  the  people,  but  are  dragged 
along  by  the  people.  If  the  scholars  of  the  conn-try  had 
done  their  duty,  there  would  have  been  no  civil  war,  with  its 
enormous  debt.  He  trusted  that  when  the  next  victory  shall 
be  won  for  reform,  the  victor  will  not  have  it  in  his  power 
to  *  ay  to  the  American  scholar,  as  Henry  IV  said  to  Crillon 
after  one  of  his  great  battles — "£w  n'y  etais  pas" — "such  a 
day  as  we  had,  and  you  not  there  !" 

The  next  sentiment  was  in  honor  of  the  venerable  Princi- 
pal, Dr.  Gideon  L.  Soule.  His  health  at  this  time  was  so 
feeble  as  to  have  precluded  him  from  attending  the  exercises 
of  the  morning,  but  he  felt  that  he  could  not  be  absent  from 
this  fraternal  festivity.  He  acknowledged,  in  a  brief  but 
felicitous  speech,  the  honor  conferred  upon  him,  and  then 
apologized  for  being  compelled  to  withdraw.  The  entire 
company  rose  and  saluted  him  with  cheers  as  he  retired  from 
the  hall. 

President  Paul  A.  Chadbonrne  being  called  upon,  respond- 
ed in  a  brief  review  of  his  school  days  at  Exeter,  in  which  he 
paid  a  high  tribute  to  the  influence  of  Dr.  Soule  as  an 
instructor,  and  declared  that  the  Latin  lessons  he  had  learned 
at  the  Academy  he  never  could  forget. 


43 

To  a  sentiment  complimentary  of  the  board  of  Trustees, 
the  lion.  Amos  Tuck,  one  of  the  oldest  members,  made  a 
fitting  response.  He  passed  in  review  the  work  of  the  Acad- 
cm}-  during  the  years  that  he  had  been  concerned  in  its  gov- 
ernment, and  pointed  with  gratification  to  the  improvements 
which  had  been  introduced  ;  instancing  the  thorough  classifi- 
cation of  students  ;  the  clothing  of  the  permanent  instructors 
with  the  powers  of  a  Faculty,  and  the  dispensing  with  the 
attendance  of  the  pupils  in  the  school  rooms  for  the  purposes 
of  studj*. 

The  Hon.  George  S.  Hale,  the  youngest  in  office  of 
the  Trustees,  was  then  called  on,  and  after  giving  some  pleas- 
ant reminiscences  of  his  student  life,  he  concluded  with  an 
original  poem,  which  is  reserved  for  another  place  in  this 
volume.* 

Brief  remarks  were  also  offered  by  Prof.  Francis  Bowen, 
by  the  Hon.  Jeremiah  Smith,  a  Trustee  and  the  son  of  the 
earlier  Trustee  of  the  same  name  ;  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Roswell 
I).  Hitchcock,  of  New  York  ;  and  by  Principal  Tilton,  of  Phil- 
lips Andover  Academy. 

The  Rev.  John  Langdon  Sibley,  who  was  now  for  the  first 
time  publicly  announced  as  the  donor  of  the  generous  fund, 
recently  presented,  for  the  aid  of  students  of  poverty  and 
merit,  was  called  to  his  feet.  He  modestly  explained  the 
motives  which  induced  him  thus  to  dispose  of  his  patrimony, 
as  well  as  to  supplement  it  from  his  own  earnings  ;  and  stat- 
ed that  it  had  been  his  design  not  to  have  his  name  known 
in  the  transaction,  but  it  was  found  that  the  secret  would  not 
be  kept,  and  he  had  yielded  to  the  persuasion  of  friends  of 
the  Academy  that  the  announcement  should  be  made  on  this 
occasion.  Mr.  Sibley's  statement  was  listened  to  with  the 
deepest  interest,  and  was  one  of  the  most  touching  incidents 
of  the  day. 

The  Song  which  had  been  composed  b}*  the  Rev.  Henry 
Ware  for  the  Abbot  Festival,  and  sung  there  thirty-four  years 

*  Appendix  I. 


44  run. i. irs  KXKTKIC 

before,  was  then  executed  liy  the  company  under  the  loader- 
ship  of  Mr.  Sililoy  :  and  the  exercises  were  closed. 

In  the  evening  a  promenade  concert  and  dance  at  the  town 
hall,  brought  the  day  to  a  happy  termination. 

In  the  year  1873,  Dr.  Sonic,  having  now  completed  more 
than  half  a  century's  duties  in  the  Academy,  and  having 
retained  the  office  of  Principal  for  the  last  year  only  because 
the  Trustees  "would  not  let  him  go,"  definitively  resigned 
his  position.  In  accepting  his  resignation,  the  Trustees 
voted, — "that  the  President  be  requested  to  express  to  Dr. 
Sonle  the  grateful  sense  entertained  by  the  board,  of  the 
value  of  his  long  continued  services,  and  to  re-quest  him  to 
accept  the  title  of  Principal  Emeritus  of  Phillips  Kxetor 
Academy." 

Albert  Cornelius  Perkins,  A.  M.,  was.  elected  to  fill  the 
vacancy  occasioned  by  Dr.  Sonle's  resignation,  and  entered 
upon  his  duties  at  the  beginning  of  the  }-ear  1873-74.  He 
was  a  graduate  of  Dartmouth  College  in  the  class  of  1  *,">'.», 
and  received  from  his  alma  mater  the  degree  of  Doctor  of 
Philosophy  in  187!). 

There  was  found  in  the  year  1873  a  scarcity  of  suitable 
rooms  in  the  town  for  the  accommodation  of  the  members  of 
the  Academy,  who  were  3'earl}'  increasing  in  number.  To 
meet  this  want  the  capacious  brick  building  originally  known 
as  the  Sqnamscott  House  was  purchased  by  the  Trustees, 
and  fitted  up  as  a  lodging  and  boarding  house  for  students. 
Its  name  was  changed  to  "Gorham  Hall,"  in  memory  of  the 
late  Dr.  David  W.  (Jorhain,  long  a  useful  and  respected 
member  of  the  board  of  trust, 

Several  rooms  in  it  are  reserved  for  transient  guests,  with 
an  eye  especially  to  the  convenience  of  relatives  and  friends 
of  the  boys  attending  the  Academy. 

In  1874  the  capacity  of  the  Academy  to  furnish  help  to 
students  of  restricted  means,  was  much  augmented  by  the 
bounty  of  Jeremiah  Kingman,  Esq.,  a  gentlemen  of  property 
in  Harrington,  New  Hampshire.  By  his  will  he  constituted 


ACADEMY.  45 

the  Academy  his  residuary  legatee ;  the  income  of  the 
bequest  to  be  applied  annually  to  "the  support  of  indigent 
meritorious  students  attending  said  Academy."  From 
this  source  the  sum  of  nearly  $40,000  has  been  added 
to  the  resources  of  the  Academy,  which  is  termed  the 
"Kingman  Fund,"  and  is  kept  separate  from  the  general 
assets  of  the  institution. 

During  the  year  following,  Woodbridge  Odlin,  Esq.,  of 
Exeter,  impressed  with  a  conviction  of  the  value,  especially 
to  the  youth  of  his  town,  of  an  English  course  of  instruction, 
offered  to  the  Academ}'  a  donation  of  $20,000  for  the  pur- 
pose of  founding  a  professorship  of  English  in  the  school, 
to  be  known  by  his  name.  This  of  course  implied  the  revi- 
val in  the  Academy  of  the  English  department,  which  had 
been  for  many  years  discontinued.  There  was  some  differ- 
ence of  opinion  among  the  Trustees,  with  regard  to  the 
advisability  of  restoring  a  distinct  branch  of  instruction, 
which  had  been  found,  on  a  former  experiment,  in  a  great 
measure  to  have  lost  its  attractions  for  students  ;  but  on 
mature  deliberation  they  decided  to  accept  the  generous  pro- 
posal of  Mr.  Odlin,  and  the  English  department  was  rein- 
stated. 

In  1879  a  friend  of  education,  who  desired  that  his  name 
should  not  be  publicly  announced,  completed  a  donation  to 
the  general  fund  of  the  Academy  of  ten  thousand  dollars  ; 
of  which  one-half  had  been  forwarded  two  years  previously. 
The  presentation  was  accomplished  through  the  medium  of 
the  Hon.  Amos  Tuck,  a  member  of  the  board  of  trust. 

In  the  succeeding  year  Henry  Winkley,  Esq.,  of  Philadel- 
phia, a  gentleman  well  known  by  his  generous  contributions 
for  worth}1  objects,  sent  to  the  Trustees  his  second  gift  of 
five  thousand  dollars, — making  the  sum  of  ten  thousand  dol- 
lars in  all, — to  be  used  "for  the  benefit  and  purposes  of  the 
Academy  as  they  might  think  best." 

This  outline  sketch  of  the  rise  and  century's  progress  of 


40  i-im.i.ir-   K.M.I  i  i: 

Phillips  Exeter  Aeademy  would  hardly  be  complete  without 
:i  picture  of  it  as  it  is  at  tin-  present  time. 

Kxternally  it  has  undergone  vast  changes  iVom  its  first 
estate.  The  number  of  instructors  has  trel>led:  that  of  the 
pupils  has  quintupled.  The  one  plain  scanty  building  has 
expanded  into  three,  of  imposing  dimensions. — the  Academy 
proper,  architecturally  elegant,  and  furnished  with  every 
desirable  convenience,  Abbot  Hall  and  (iorhain  Hall,  hand- 
some and  .commodious  houses  for  boarding  and  lodging  a 
hundred  students.  An  ample  }"ard  around  the  main  build- 
ing, and  a  spacious  "campus"  a  third  of  a  mile  distant,  fur- 
nish abundant  room  for  all  out-door  games  and  amusements. 

The  inside  has  changed  no  less  than  the  outside.  The 
school  which  at  first  was  scarcely  superior  to  those  in  the 
districts  of  a  country  town,  has  now  become  a  seminary  for 
advanced,  and  specially  thorough,  instruction.  It  would  be 
hazarding  little  to  say  that  the  graduates  of  our  highest  insti- 
tutions a  hundred  years  ago,  were  not  so  accurately  drilled 
in  their  classics  or  their  mathematics,  as  are  the  Exeter  boys 
who  have  gone  through  the  course  of  preparation  for  admis- 
sion to  college  to-day. 

In  fact  the  school  has  taken  on  man}*  of  the  features  of  a 
college.  All  the  students  belong  to  the  regular  yearly  classes, 
of  which  there  are  four  in  the  classical,  and  three  in  the  Eng- 
lish department.  The)1  are  designated  in  the  college  fashion 
as  Juniors,  Seniors,  &c.,  the  title  of  the  members  of  the  pre- 
parator}'  class  being  characteristically  abbreviated  to  "Preps." 

The  permanent  members  of  the  board  of  instruction  are 
organized  into  a  Facult}-.  with  the  powers  vested  in  such  a 
body  by  our  colleges.  The}'  hold  their  regular  weekly  meet- 
ings, and"  after  consideration  and  deliberation  together,  decide 
all  questions  of  discipline,  &c. 

All  the  pupils  study  in  their  own  private  rooms,  and  meet 
in  the  school  building  only  for  prayers  and  recitations.  The 
.fact  that  the}-  are  freed,  while  at  their  studies,  from  the  irk- 
some confinement  of  the  school  room,  and  arc  neither  under 


ACADEMY.  47 

the  eye  of  a  teacher  or  a  monitor,  nor  expected  to  repress 
every  sign  of  impatience  of  restraint,  tends  to  give  them  a 
stronger  sense  of  independence  and  self-reliance.  During 
the  hours  assigned  for  study  the}-  are  required  to  remain  in 
their  own  rooms  ;  and  punctuality  in  attendance  at  recita- 
tions and  prayers,  is  of  course  insisted  on. 

Phillips  Exeter  Academy  is  not  a  reformatory  ;  nor  does 
it  profess'to  furnish  attendants  for  feeble-minded  youth.  It 
aims  to  make  its  pupils  thorough  and  accurate  scholars  in 
the  branches  which  it  teaches,  to  see  that  they  are  kept  free 
from  evil  influences,  and  to  direct  and  encourage  them  to 
virtuous  and  manly  principles.  No  vicious  lad,  who  is  liable 
to  contaminate  his  associates,  is  allowed  to  remain  an  hour 
in  the  school.  The  Halls  and  the  boarding  houses  are  under 
the  control  of  the  Faculty,  so  that  every  instance  of  irregu- 
lar or  improper  conduct  therein  is  promptl}"  reported  to 
them.  Without  hampering  the  boys  with  a  thousand  pett}' 
restrictions,  they  are  thus  able  to  learn  the  character,  the 
habits,  the  needs  and  the  dangers  of  each.  If  a  boy  lacks 
the  power  of  self-command  to  keep  him  from  continually  fall- 
ing into  serious  harm,  this  is  not  the  place  for  him.  His 
masters  are  ready  to  do  much  for  him,  but  they  cannot 
act  as  corks  for  him  to  swim  with.  The  youth  who  cannot, 
or  will  not,  keep  fairly  up  with  the  studies  of  his  class,  must 
either  go  back  into  a  lower  one,  or  migrate  elsewhere. 

But  those  young  men  or  boys  who  are  willing  to  make  the 
most  of  their  powers,  receive  here  every  encouragement. 
Their  instructors  feel  and  cultivate  a  personal  interest  in 
every  one  of  them.  They  consult  with  them  freely,  respect- 
ing their  plans  and  difficulties,  and  are  enabled  by  their 
experience  to  give  them  valuable  practical  help.  Numbers 
of  the  prosperous  men  of  our  country  regard  the  counsel,  not 
less  than  the  instruction,  which  the}"  received  at  the  Acade-' 
my,  as  the  foundation  of  their  success  in  life.  Exeter  prides 
herself  no  less  on  the  manly,  than  on  the  scholarly  character 
of  the  young  men  whom  she  has  trained. 


4*  rim. i. iiv-    i.M.TKit 

The  beneficiary  systi-ni  of  the  Academy  is  administered 
upon  a  plan  which  is  believed  to  combine  the  greatest  prac- 
ticable good,  with  the  least  admixture  of  evil.  All  pecuniary 
assistance  to  students  is  based  upon  the  united  considera- 
tions of  restricted  means,  nnd  merit  in  its  widest  signiliea- 
tion.  It  is  not  intended  merely  to  enable  young  men  to 
enter  the  clerical  profession,  or  an}'  single  line  of  useful- 
ness ;  nor  may  it  be  claimed  by  all  whose  moral  or 'religious 
character  is  immaculate.  It  is  intended  to  operate  as  a 
reward  and  an  encouragement  to  good  principles  and  good 
conduct,  diligence  and  scholarship,  and  is  never  conferred 
until  the  results  of  at  least  one  term  of  study  have  shown 
the  recipient's  fitness  ;  and  is  3*early  re-adjusted,  that  it  ma}' 
be  a  continuing  force.. 

The  combined  bounty  of  the  Founder  and  of  Mr.  King- 
man  maintain  twenty  "foundation"  scholarships,  each  yield- 
ing $GO  per  annum,  or  a  little  more  than  a  dollar  and  a  half 
a  week  during  term-time.  These  are  assigned  to  the  most 
deserving  pupils  in  all  the  four  classes.  There  are  also  four 
special  scholarships, — the  gifts  respectively  of  the  Hon. 
George  Bancroft,  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Charles  Burroughs,  of  the 
Hon.  Nathaniel  Gordon,  and  of  Miss  Martha  Hale,  daughter 
of  the  lion.  Samuel  Hale.  They  are  known  by  the  names  of 
their  several  donors,  and  are  of  the  yearly  value  of  from  $70 
to  $140  each.  They  are  usually  divided  between  the  two 
higher  classes.  Free  tuition  is  afforded  to  all  the  recipients 
of  scholarships,  as  of  course  ;  and  to  about  double  the  num- 
ber of  other  students,  whose  circumstances  are  thought  to 
require  it.  Abbot  Hall  contains  accommodations  for  fifty 
boys,  und  the  rent  of  rooms  there,  being  trifling,  and  the 
price  of  board  being  adjusted  to  cover  the  mere  cost,  the 
maintenance  of  about  one-fourth  part  of  the  whole  school  is 
thus  reduced  to  the  lowest  rate  of  expense. 

The  problem  how  to  make  young  men  beneficiaries,  with- 
out sapping  the  foundations  of  their  manliness  and  sell- 
respect,  has  never  arisen  here.  There  arc  no  invidious  dis- 


ACADEMY.  49 

tiuctkms  drawn  between  the  rich  and  the  poor,  either  by  the 
authorities,  or  what  is  more  important,  among  the  students 
themselves.  Every  advantage  which  is  afforded  by  the 
school  to  one  class,  is  open  to  all.  And  it  is  a  fact,  equally 
remarkable  and  honorable,  that  those  who  receive  assist- 
ance from  the  funds  of  the  Academy,  are  not  even  known 
by  am'  distinctive  name. 

The  record  shows  that  a  very  large  proportion  of  the  dis- 
tinguishod  men  who  have  studied  in  the  Academy  were  bene- 
ficiaries. And  as  Exeter  owes  so  much  of  her  celebrity  to 
her  charity-Scholars  of  the  past,  she  is  never  like!}-  to  under- 
value those  of  the  present. 

In  its  religious  character,  Phillips  Exeter  Academy  is 
completely  unsectarian.  The  directions  of  the  Founder  con- 
cerning the  orthodox}-  of  the  Principal,  and  the  Protestanism 
of  the  Trustees  and  instructors,  have  been  implicitly  obeyed, 
and  his  personal  example  of  tolerance  of  theological  differ- 
ences has  not  been  overlooked.* 

The  boys  who  attend  the  school  have  been  bred  in  various 
forms  of  belief,  and  no  attempt  is  made  to  proselyte  them  to 
any  other.  The}'  are  at  liberty  on .  Sundays  to  attend  the 
church  of  whatever  denomination  they,  or  their  guardians 
direct ;  but  attendance  on  divine  worship  somewhere,  is 
obligatory  on  all.  Prayers  and  scripture  reading  are  daily 
exercises  of  the  school ;  and  virtuous  conduct  and  respect 
for  the  ordinances  of  religion  are  sedulously  inculcated  by 
the  instructors,  by  precept  and  example. 

*It  is  proper  to  state  that  though  Dr.  Abbot's  theological  views, 
in  his  later  life,  are  admitted  to  have  differed  widely  from  those 
entertained  by  the  Founder,  and  though  it  has  been  repeatedly 
atlirmed  that  such  was  the  case  in  the  Founder's  lifetime,  yet  the 
latter  assertion  lias  recently  been  denied. 


.~M>  PHILLIPS   EXKTKR 


IV. 

TJIK  INSTRUCTORS. 

WILLIAM  WOODURIDCE,  the  first  Preceptor  of  Phillips 
Exeter  Academy,  was  a  native  of  Glastonbury,  Connecticut, 
and  was  born  on  the  fourteenth  of -September,  1755.  He 
was  the  son  of  the  Rev.  Ashbel  Woodbridge,  the  minister  of 
that  town,  and  was  the  fifth  in  lineal  descent  from  the  Rev. 
John  Woodbridge,  who  emigrated  from  England  to  this 
country.  William  Woodbridge  graduated  from  Yale  College 
in  1780,  and  elected  teaching  as  his  occupation,  though  he 
also  qualified  himself  for  the  duties  of  a  minister  of  the 
gospel. 

It  was  probably  Uurwagh  family  relations  who  lived  in  the 
vicinity  of  Dr.  Phillips,  that  Mr.  Woodbridge  became  known 
to  him.  A  cousin  of  the  Rev.  Ashbel  Woodbridge  was  the 
wife  of  the  Rev.  John  Clark,  a  fornter  minister  of  the  first 
parish  in  Exeter,  and,  after  his  decease,  married  the  Rev. 
John  Odlin  his  successor  in  the  same  charge.  She  was  the 
mother  of  several  children,  whose  homes  were  in  and  around 
Exeter. 

The  infirmity  of  Mr.  Woodbridge's  health,  while  he  was 
the  Preceptor  of  the  Academy,  did  not  suffer  him  fairly  to 
show  what  he  was  capable  of  accomplishing.  A  new  school, 
under  an  invalid  master,  could  hardly  be  expected  to  thrive. 
Yet  notwithstanding  this  serious  check  upon  his  capacity  for 
useful  exertion,  the  Trustees  undoubtedly  held  his  merits 
in  high  regard.  The  Resolution  which  they  adopted,  upon 


\<  AIM.MV,  ~>l 

accepting  his  resignation,  may  be  relied  on  as  the  more  sin- 
cere  expression  of  their  real  sentiments,  as  it  was  passed 
before  commendations  of  parting  officials  had  degenerated, 
into  mere  matters  of  course  : 

"Resolved,  that  the  thanks  of  this  board  be  given  to  Mr. 
Woodbridge  for  his  faithful  services  and  unwearied  exer- 
tions, while  Preceptor  of  Phillips  Exeter  Academy,  to  instil 
into  the  minds  of  the  youth  committed  to  his  care,  the  prin- 
ciples of*  Piety  and  Virtue,  as  well  as  to  instruct  them  in  use- 
ful knowledge  ;  and  as  he  has  declared  it  inconsistent  with 
his  health  and  sense  of  duty  to  continue  longer  in  that  rela- 
tion to  the  Academy,  this  board  wish  him  the  high  reward 
of  observing  satisfactoiy  fruits  of  his  past  labors,  and  that 
his  services,  in  whatever  sphere  he  may  hereafter  move,  may 
be  crowned  with  distinguished  usefulness." 

Mr.  Woodbridge,  after  leaving  Exeter,  was  associated 
with  his  sister  in  the  charge  of  an  academy  for  young  ladies 
in  Medford,  Massachusetts,  and  followed  his  profession  of 
teaching  through  life,  uniting  with  it  from  time  to  time  the 
functions  of  a  preacher,  also. 

AVhile  living  in  Exeter  he  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of 
Deacon  Samuel  Brooks.  In  his  later  }'ears  he  contributed 
articles  for  the  "Annals  of  Education,"  of  which  his  son 
William  C.  Woodbridge,  the  well-known  geographer,  was 
the  editor.  Though  his  health  was  feeble,  yet  he  attained 
great  age,  and  died  in  Franklin,  Connecticut,  the  twenty- 
seventh  of  March,  183G,  "an  honored  teacher  of  fifty  years' 
standing." 

The  successor  of  Mr.  Woodbridge  in  the  immediate  charge 
of  the  Academy,  must  have  been  known  personally,  as  well 
as  by  repute,  to  the  Founder.  He  was  a  native  of  the  same 
town,  and  lived  in  the  same  parish,  wherein  the  father  of  Dr. 
Phillips  was  pastor  for  sixty  years  ;  and  was  prepared  for 
college  at  the  Academy  in  Andover  of  which  the  Doctor  was 
the  chief  benefactor  and  a  punctual  and  observant  Trustee. 
We  have  the  assurance,  too.  that  it  was  at  the  immediate 


52  1'11IU.I|'>    K.XKTER 


of  the  Founder  that  Mr.  Abbot  received  his  invita- 
tion to  Exeter. 

BKX.JAMIN  AHBOT  was  the  son  of  John  Abbot,  of  Andover, 
Massachusetts,  ami  was  born  there  on  the  seventeenth  of 
September,  17G2.  Five  generations  of  the  family  had  lived 
in  the  town  ;  his  father  and  grandfather  were  captains  of  the 
militia,  when  that  ollice  was  a  proof  of  courage  and  capacity  ; 
his  lineal  ancestors  in  the  next  two  removes  were  both  dea- 
cons of  the  church  ;  all  were  resolute,  pious  men,  of  vigor- 
ous make,  who  lived  long  in  the  laud. 

l>enjamin  worked  upon  his  father's  farm  until  he  was 
twenty  years  old,  and  then  resolved  to  acquire  a  college  edu- 
cation. He  prosecuted  the  study  of  Latin  at  the  infant 
Academy  in  his  native  town,  where  he  became  a  pupil  of 
Jeremiah  Smith,  then  an  assistant  teacher  there,  with  whom 
he  was  destined  in  after  years  to  be  associated  in  the  board 
of  control  of  the  Academy  in  Exeter.  He  graduated  from 
Harvard  College  in  1788,  with  high  credit  for  his  "scholar- 
ship and  moral  worth,"  and  the  Salutatory  Oration  was 
assigned  him  at  Commencement.  In  the  following  August 
he  entered  upon  his  duties  in  Phillips  Exeter  Academy. 

Nature  had  gifted  him  with  qualities  which  singularly 
fitted  him  to  be  a  tutor  and  governor  of  youth.  The  blood 
of  his  ancestors  seems  to  have  blended  their  several  excel- 
h'lices  in  his  veins.  He  was  accustomed,  in  after  years,  to 
attribute  his  professional  success  to  his  observance  of  the 
rule,  suaviter  in  modo^fortiter  in  re;  which  in  his  case  might 
not  unaptly  be  translated  "deacons'  words,  captains'  deeds." 
Though  inflexibly  just,  he  was  only  too  happy  to  temper 
justice  with  mercy,  whenever  it  would  not  be  subversive  of 
good  discipline.  He  was  never  over  ready  to  take  notice  of 
;i  fault  that  might  be  passed  by  without  harmful  consequenc- 
es. It  was  a  favorite  remark  of  his  that  "it  was  a  great 
accomplishment  to  know  how  to  wink  !  "  Probably  many  a 
boy  attributed  to  his  teacher's  want  of  observation,  what 
was  really  the  result  of  merciful  voluntary  blindness, 


ACADKMV.  •'   > 

Thoiiiih  he  shrank  from  causing  nain  to   the   lowest  crea- 

o  •        * 

tare,  yet  in  those  instances  where  punishment  was  really  mer- 
ited, he  inflicted  it  without  flinching-  In  the  happily  rare 
cases  in  which  he  had  to  deal  with  a  vicious  or  depraved  lad, 
he  administered  a  lesson,  both  to  mind  and  body,  that  served 
as  a  wholesome  reminder  of  duty.  He  was  not  the  man  to 
spoil  the  child,  in  such  cases,  by  sparing  the  rod.  In  gener- 
al, however,  he  governed  with  the  least  possible  display  of 
authority.  In  the  school-room,  a  look,  a  tap  on  the  desk,  or 
a  shake  of  the  forefinger  was  enough  to  recall  the  wandering 
attention  of  the  most  wayward,  and  lix  it  upon  the  business 
of  the  hour.  But  govern  he  did,  and  that  most  effectually. 
Modest  and  retiring  as  he  was  with  regard  to  matters  uncon- 
nected with  his  peculiar  province,  *'no  admiral  on  the  quarter- 
deck of  his  flag-ship  was,  more  than  he  in  his  school,  the 
impersonation  of  decision,  firmness  and  authority."* 

From  his  first  appearance  at  Exeter,  he  devoted  himself 
wholly  to  his  school.  He  is  represented  by  those  who  knew 
him  as  a  young  man,  to  have  been  even  then  distinguished 
for  maturity  of  judgment  and  power  of  command.  He  took 
no  part  in  political  affairs,  or  in  neighborhood  differences  ; 
he  had  no  ambitions  beyond  his  chosen  vocation.  He  set  an 
example  of  industry  and  persevereuce  which  could  not  fail 
to  have  lasting  weight  in  the  minds  of  his  pupils.  He  stud- 
ied the  profession  to  which  he  devoted  the  long  round  of  fifty 
years,  with  care  and  comprehension,  and  welcomed  every 
substantial  improvement  in  its  methods.  Not  content  with 
knowing  the  management  of  other  academies,  in  our  own 
country,  he  instituted  particular  inquiry  into  the  conduct  of 
the  great  English  public  schools,  to  which  Exeter  has  been 
thought  to  be  assimilated. 

His  scholastic  acquirements  were  quite  abreast  of  his  time. 
No  doubt  the  standard  of  scholarship  was  a  different  one  at 
that  day  from  what  it  now  is.  We  are  very  much  in  fault  if 
with  all  that  modern  research  and  criticism  have  done  for  us, 

*Thu  liev.  Dr.  Morison. 


54  rilIU.ll1>     I.XKTKK 

we  htivi-  not  reached  M  higher  level.  Dr.  Abbot  was  un- 
doubtedly as  learned  and  accurate  a  scholar  in  his  age.  as 
arc  the  best  of  our  educators  in  ours.  An  authentic  anec- 
dote gives  an  idea  both  of  his  philological  attainments  and 
of  his  impressive  style  of  imparting  information.  One  of  his 
best  pupils,  John  P.  Robinson,*  presented  him  his  exercise 
in  writing  Latin,  one  da}',  for  correction.  Dr.  Abbot 
returned  it,  with  a  single  word  marked  as  erroneous.  Rol>- 
insoii  consulted  grammar  and  lexicon,  and  racked  his  brains 
to  lind  out  the  mistake  he  had  committed,  but  all  in  vain  ; 
and  was  at  last  obliged  to  take  back  the  exercise  to  the  Doc- 
tor, with  the  confession  that  he  could  not  discover  in  what 
the  fault  lay.  "Robinson,"  replied  the  Doctor,  '"words  arc 
like  men  ;  none  but  gentlemen  are  found  in  gentlemen's  com- 
pany." The  difficulty  was  solved  ;  and  the  pupil  probably 
never  afterwards  forgot  what  was  due  to  classical  Latinity. 

Dr.  Abbot's  moral  influence  over  his  disciples  was  the  very 
best.  He  had  a  simple  reverence  for  all  that  was  good,  and 
a  transparent  honesty  of  soul,  which  none  about  him  could 
fail  to  remark  and  to  respect.  It  took  a  bold,  bad  boy  to 
attempt  to  deceive  or  to  wrong  him.  All  others  felt  that  the 
Doctor  was  so  genuine!}1  good  that  it  was  a  shame  to  take 
any  advantage  of  him.  And  he,  in  his  turn,  treated  his 
pupils  with  all  possible  courtesy,  kindness  and  confidence. 

He  ruled  by  love  rather  than  by  fear.  lie  had  the  art  of 
getting  very  close  to  the  boy*,  and  without  any  surrender  of 
dignity  :  near,  yet  afar.  When  he  administered  a  reprimand. 
it  never  rankled.  Every  lad,  not  absolutely  incorrigible, 
felt  that  he  had  a  friend  in  "the  Doctor." 

His  manners  were  such  as  would  become  a  nobleman. 
Courteous  as  he  was  dignified,  he  dolled  his  hat  in  response 
to  the  greeting  of  the  lowliest  person  he  met.  As  he  walked 
down  the  aisle  of  the  school-room,  bowing  graciously  to  the 

*The  same  who  was  afterwards  satirised  by  Lowell,  in  the 
"IJigelow  papers:" 

•-.I.. Im  I' 
Robinson  lie."  etc, 


A<  ADK.MV.  .).» 

right  and  left,  his  appearance  so  impressed  every  pupil,  that 
the  memory  of  it  will  never  fadeaway.  It  made  generations 
more  mannerly. 

Dr.  Abbot  was  twiee  married.  His  first  wife  was  Hannah 
Tracy  Emery,  of  Exeter,  who  lived  but  two  years  after  their 
marriage.  Their  only  child  was  John  Emery  Abbot,  who 
graduated  from  Bowdoin  College,  studied  divinity,  and  was 
ordained  the  minister  of  the  North  church  in  Salem,  Massa- 
chusetts. He  died,  deeply  lamented,  in  181!). 

Dr.  Abbot's  second  wife  was  Mary  Perkins,  of  Boston,  who 
survived  him  several  ydars.  Their  children  were  Elizabeth, 
who  married  Dr.  David  W.  Gorham,  of  Exeter,  and  Charles 
B.  Abbot  who  resided  in  Glenburn,  Maine.  Dr.  Gorham 
was  for  a  long  period  one  of  the  board  of  Trustees  of  the 
Academy,  and  after  his  decease  his  son  Dr.  William  II.  Gor- 
ham served  for  a  time  in  the  same  capacity. 

Dr.  Abbot's  life  was  prolonged  until  the  twenty-fifth  of 
October,  1849,  when  at  the  age  of  eighty-seven  years,  he  was 
gathered  to  his  fathers. 

GIDEON  LANE  SOULE,  the  second  Principal,  was  born  in 
Freeport,  Maine,  the  twenty-fifth  of  July,  1796.  He  entered 
the  Academy  in  1813,  and  after  remaining  three  years,  was 
admitted  to  the  junior  class  of  Bowdoin  College,  where  he 
graduated  in  1818.  He  then  became  an  assistant  teacher  in 
the  Academy  for  above  a  year,  after  which  he  entered  upon 
a  course  of  professional  study, — but  in  the  year  1822  he 
returned  hither  as  a  member  of  the  corps  of  instructors,  was 
subsequently  appointed  Professor  of  Ancient  Languages. 
and  on  the  withdrawal  of  Dr.  Abbot  in  1838,  Principal  of  the 
Academy.  1  larvard  College  conferred  upon  him  the  honorary 
degree  of  Doctor  of  Laws,  in  185G. 

Dr.  Soule  had  the  advantage  of  a  fine  person  ;  he  was  tall, 
perfectly  erect,  and  his  air  was  dignified  and  commanding. 
His  features  were  bold  and  handsome,  his  voice  well  modu- 
lated, his  smile  winning.  His  temper  was  equable,  and  his 
self-control  was  rarelv  disturbed. 


,)(>  VIIII. I  II'-     I  XKTKl! 

Liki'  Dr.  Abbot,  he  possessed  peculiar  tjualilications  for 
tin-  position  of  chief  of  a  great  school.  Many  of  his  prede- 
cessor's methods  lie  carried  along  into  his  own  practice, 
though  his  cooler  tciuperainent  caused,  perhaps.  :i  more  per- 
cept ilile  distance  between  him  and  his  pupils.  Hut  he  under- 
stood well  how  to  appeal  to  their  better  and  nobler  instincts. 
and  had  confidence  in  their  general  rectitude  of  intention. 
Hi-  never  lost  consciousness  of  the  fact  that  boys  were  men 
in  miniature;  and,  looking  forward  through  their  present  to 
their  future,  always  made  a  point  of  treating  them  in  manly 
fashion.  lie  had  a  remarkable  store  of  anecdotes,  from 
which  he  used  to  draw  illustrations  to  enforce  his  teachings. 
Here  he  never  missed  his  aim.  His  happy  allusions  and 
scholarly,  clean  cut  sentences  sent  home  to  the  understand- 
ing of  the  densest  and  least  attentive  of  his  Hock,  many  a 
wholesome  truth  that  outlasted  the  memory  of  Latin  and 
(Ireek,  in  its  salutary  influence  upon  the  life  and  character. 

Dr.  Soule  was  probably  conservative  by  nature;  he  was 
certainly  so  by  position,  for  that  necessarily  comes  of  the 
responsibilities  attending  authority.  Yet  his  experience  in 
dealing  with  youth,  and  his  recognition  of  the  advance  of 
ideas  in  successive  generations,  induced  him  to  countenance 
changes  which  might  have  alarmed  a  more  timid  pilot.  l"n- 
der  his  administration  the  students  made  a  great  forward 
stride  in  self-government.  They  wen-  given  to  understand 
that  they  were  not  to  be  held  amenable  to  an)'  written  code, 
lint  were  to  conform  their  conduct  to  the  common  law  of 
right  and  propriety,  recognized  by  every  member  of  an 
enlightened  community.  And  it  was  while  he  held  the  reins 
of  government,  that  the  radical  innovation  of  allowing  all 
the  students  the  privilege  of  preparing  lessons  in  their  own 
rooms,  unwatchcd  by  tutors'  eyes,  was  introduced.  Not- 
withstanding the  amount  of  freedom  that  had  always  been 
allowed  the  members  of  the  school,  there  is  no  doubt  that 
this  experiment  caused  some  anxiety.  No  doubt,  too.  the 
Principal  was  somewhat  influenced  in  his  course  by  the 


ACADEMY.  37 

younger  :ind  more  adventurous  spirits  that  were  his  coadju- 
tors in  the  Academy".  But  it  argues  well  for  his  clear  vision 
and  for  his  capacity  for  progress,  that  he  yielded  his  concur- 
rence in  novelties,  which  successful  experiment  has  demon- 
strated to  be  improvements.  Time  has  fully  justified  the 
forward  steps  which  he  sanctioned,  and  the  greater  liberty 
accorded  the  students  has  awakened  a  response,  in  the 
increase  of  manliness  and  self-respect  in  the  school. 

As  an  instructor,  especially  in  his  chosen  department,  the 
ancient  classics,  Dr.  Soule's  qualifications  and  success  were 
of  the  highest.  In  the  Latin  language  and  literature,  to 
which  he  gave  special  attention,  he  was  pre-eminent.  His 
thorough  knowledge,  his  critical  exactness,  his  cultivated 
taste,  enabled  him  to  make  the  study  of  the  authors  of  anti- 
quity a  pleasure,  instead  of  a  task,  to  his  pupils.  "In  this 
department,"  it  has  been  justly  said,  "he  left  his  brilliant 
record  in  all  our  colleges."  No  better  work,  no  more  thor- 
ough training  presented  itself  for  examination  from  any 
quarter,  than  that  which  was  accomplished  under  his  imme- 
diate inspection. 

It  was  a  crucial  test  of  Dr.  Soule's  capacity,  that  he  was 
chosen  to  follow  Dr.  Abbot,  whose  success  had  been  so  unex- 
ampled, and  who  was  regarded  with  such  deference,  not  to 
say  reverence,  by  the  community.  A  man  of  inferior  parts 
would  have  been  dwarfed  by  the  comparison.  But  the  two 
men  had  certain  important  qualities  in  common  ;  scholarship, 
the  gift  of  command,  and  especially  that  fine  influence  which 
springs  from  innate  courtesy  and  sense  of  justice.  Both  were 
gentlemen,  not  merely  in  their  manners,  but  in  their  hearts. 
They  set  the  example  In-  words  and  acts,  of  Christian  kind- 
ness and  honot&ble  sentiments,  united  with  perfect  urbanity. 
They  inspired  their  pupils  not  only  with  the  love  of  learning- 
but  with  an  appreciation  of  the  graces  of  character  and  of 
the  amenities  of  refined  life. 

It  is  the  unanimous  verdict  that  Dr.  Soulc  wielded  with 
equal  vigor  and  success,  and  that  too,  over  a  widening  field. 


58  rilll.I.M's    KXKTKH 

tin-  authority  which  his  predecessor  had  employed  to  such 
excellent  purpose.  Heartily  and  justly  as  the  pii|iils  of  the 
earlier  Principal  acknowledged  their  obligations  to  him  for 
his  agency  in  developing  whatever  was  best  in  their  nature, 
those  who  studied  under  his  successor  recogni/.e  the  value  of 
A/'x  services  and  inllueiice  with  no  less  gratitude  and  fervor. 
To  both  is  the  Academy  indebted,  in  equal  measure,  for  its 
past  glories  and  its  present  elliciency 

Dr.  Sonic  married  Klixabeth  Phillips  Kmery.  of  Kxeter. 
who  survived  him.  to  the  age  of  more  than  eighty-eight  years. 
They  had  three  children  who  reached  adult  age:  Charles 
Kmery  Soule,  Assistant  Surrogate  in  New  York  city  ;  Nicho- 
las Emery  Soule,  who  studied  the  profession  of  medicine, 
but  afterwards  was  the  teacher  of  a  classical  school  in  Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio;  and  Augustus  Lord  Soule,  formerly  a  .Justice 
of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Massachusetts  and  now  counsel  of 
the  Boston  and  Albany  Railroad  corporation  in  Boston.  Dr. 
N.  E.  Soule  has  for  several  A'cars  been  a  Trustee  of  the 
Academy. 

Dr.  Soule  died  in  Kxeter  on  the  twenty-eighth  of  May. 
l.sT'.'.  In  view  of  the  event,  the  Trustees  adopted  the  fol- 
lowing Resolution  : 

"Resolved,  That  the  Trustees  place  upon  the  record  some 
expression  of  their  regard  for  the  character  of  the  deceased, 
and  for  the  services  he  rendered  to  the  Academy.  His  devo- 
tion to  the  interests  of  the  school  was  unwavering.  lie 
brought  to  the  work  of  instruction  and  government,  earnest 
zeal,  fine  literary  culture,  love  for  young  men,  a  nice  sense 
of  honor  and  integrity,  dignity  and  courtesy  of  a  high  order, 
fidelity  and  generosity.  These  traits  he  applied  with  wisdom 
and  success  to  the  interests  of  the  young  men  under  hiscare. 
His  love  for  the  Academy  and  his  concern  for  the  welfare  of 
it  ended  only  with  his  life.  His  name  is  cherished  with  affec- 
tionate veneration,  and  the  reputation  which  the  school  ac- 
quired under  his  management  is  his  fitting  monument.  The 
Trustees  desire  to  express  their  S3*mpathy  with  the  widow 


ACADEMY.  09 

and    family   of  the   deceased,  and  to  join  them   in    loving 
respect  for  his  memory." 

On  the  eighth  of  June  following,  the  Rev.  Dr.  John  II. 
Morison  delivered,  in  the  second  church  in  Exeter,  n  dis- 
course, commemorative  of  the  excellent  qualities  and  servic- 
es of  Dr.  Soule,  which  was  published  at  the  expense  of  the 
Academy. 

HOSEA  IIiLDRETir,  who  was  the  second  Professor  of  Math- 
ematics and  natural  Philosoplry  in  the  Acadeim*,  and  held 
that  post  from  1811  to  1825,  deserves  more  tha'i  a  passing 
notice.  He  was  one  of  ten  children  of  Timothy  Hildreth, 
and  was  born  in  Chclmsford,  Massachusetts,  in  the  year 
1782.  Like  not  a  few  other  men  who  have  risen  to  distinc- 
tion, his  course  in  life  was  marked  out  for  him  by  an  acci- 
dent. In  his  youth  he  received  an  injury  to  one  of  his  arms, 
which  b}-  disqualifying  him  for  manual  labor,  turned  his  atten- 
tion to  study.  He  graduated  from  Harvard  College  in  iso.~>. 
and  prepared  himself  for  the  ministry,  and,  it  is  said,  was 
always  fonder  of  preaching  than  of  teaching.  In  addition  to 
his  work  of  instruction  in  the  Academy  he  supplied  the  pul- 
pit of  the  second  parish  in  Exeter  from  1813  to  1817,  when 
the  Rev.  Isaac  Hurd  was  installed  there.  And  when  he 
quitted  the  Academy,  in  1825,  it  was  to  assume  the  charge 
of  a  religious  society  in  Gloucester,  Massachusetts. 

Professor  Hildreth's  influence  in  the  school  was  very  posi- 
tive and  very  salutary.  He  possessed  decided  traits  of  char- 
acter ;  strong  convictions  and  a  resolute  will,  united  with 
much  learning  and  ready  wit.  He  was  the  projector  of  the 
Golden  Branch  Society,  which,  under  his  administration,  no 
doubt  acted  as  a  keen  stimulus  to  study  and  to  the  desire  for 
improvement.  His  countenance  bore  the  impress  of  his  orig- 
inality and  humor,  so  that  the  eccentric  Robert  Treat  Paine 
declared  that  it  might  lie  "cut  up  into  a  thousand  epigrams." 

After  officiating  for  about  eight  years  as  the  minister  of 
Gloucester,  Mr.  Hildreth  took  the  office  of  Secretary  <>!'  the 
Massachusetts  Temperance  Society,  which  he  filled  with  elli- 


00  riiiLurs  EXETER 

eicncy  and  xeal.  and  ended  his  useful  life  at  Stirling,  Massa- 
chuaelts,  tin-  truth  of. Inly.  1  *;>.">.  He  was  tin-  author  ol'  sev- 
eral productions  of  merit;  among  them  of  "a  Hook  for  New 
Ilainpshire  Children,"  which  fora  iiiunber  of  years  held  its 
place  in  the  schools  of  the  State,  as  :i  juvenile  text-book, 
and  passed  through  several  editions. 

1'rol'cssor  Hildrcth  married  Sarah  McLeod.  of  Boston, 
who  survived  him  more  than  thirteen  years.  They  had  seven 
children,  of  whom  the  three  sons,  Richard.  Samuel  T.,  and 
Charles  II.  Ilildreth  were  all  nKMiib-rs  of  tlr.>  Ac.idemy. 
The  eldest  of  these  was  the  distinguished  editor  and  hi>tor- 
ian.  None  of  them  is  now  living  except  the  youngest  son, 
Dr.  Charles  II.  Hildreth,  of  Gloucester,  Massachusetts. 

JosErii  GII-.SON  HOYT,  who  filled  the  chair  of  Mathematics 
in  the  Academy  for  nearly  eighteen  j'cars,  was  bom  in  Dun- 
barton,  New  Hampshire,  on  the  nineteenth  of  January,  lsif>. 
His  father  was  a  plain  farmer;  but  his  mother  was  a  gifted 
and  ambitious  woman.  I'ntil  he  was  sixteen  years  old,  he 
was  employed  upon  his  father's  farm,  so  that  he  was  unable 
to  attend  school  more  than  three  months  in  the  year,  lint 
before  he  was  eighteen  he  began  to  study  with  a  view  to  a 
collegiate  education.  For  five  winters  he  taught  country 
schools  to  obtain  the  means  to  carry  out  his  design.  lie 
entered  Yale  College  in  183G,  and  graduated  with  high  credit 
in  IS  10.  He  was  then  employed  as  a  preceptor  for  a  year  : 
and  in  IS  11  was  called  to  Phillips  Exeter  Academy.  While 
here  he  gave  instruction  in  Greek,  as  well  as  in  his  own 
special  branches;  and  in  all  showed  himself  possessed  of 
much  learning,  originality  and  genius.  He  was  full  of  lire 
and  enthusiasm,  and  had  the  art  of  inspiring  his  pupils  with 
no  little  of  the  same.  Not  content  with  performing  his  aca- 
demical duties,  he  manifested  a  deep  interest  in  everything 
that  was  transpiring  around  him,  and  in  the  great  world, 
lie  was  a  reformer,  and  a  politician.  In  1850  he  was  chosen 
a  member  of  the  Convention  called  to  revise  the  Constitution 
of  New  Hampshire:  and  in  18">8  he  became  an  aspirant  for 


ACADEMY.  Cl 

Congressional  honors,  but  failed  of  the  nomination,  by  a 
narrow  margin.  He  was  enthusiastic  in  even*  scheme  of 
improvement  in  the  town  of  his  residence.  "For  some  years 
he  was  a  member  of  the  Superintending  School  Committee, 
and  his  reports  upon  the  condition  of  some  of  the  schools  in 
the  outlying  districts,  brimming  over  with  his  quaint  humor, 
are  racy  reading  to-day. 

The  ardor  of  Professor  Hoyt's  temperament,  while  it  gave 
him  efficiency  and  readiness,  perhaps  detracted  somewhat  from 
the  soundness  of  his  judgment.  He  could  occupy  no  conser- 
vative ground  ;  he  must  be  in  the  advance  or  nowhere,  in 
even*  movement.  He  had  little  patience  with  the  caution 
which  felt  its  way  before  moving ;  and  had  no  dread  of 
innovations.  But  in  later  years,  after  he  had  taken  upon 
himself  the  responsibility  of  a  great  educational  institution, 
there  is  reason  to  believe  that  he  realized  more  than  ever 
before,  the  security  that  resides  in  a  discreet  conservatism. 
Had  his  life  been  protracted,  he  would  probabl}-  have  car- 
ried on  the  development  of  the  great  work  which  he  assumed, 
Avitli  undiminished  force,  but  with  the  circumspection  gained 
by  experience. 

In  December,  1858,  he  accepted  an  invitation  to  the  Chan- 
cellorship of  Washington  University  at  St.  Louis,  Missouri, 
and  entered  upon  its  duties  at  the  beginning  of  the  next 
year.  In  July,  1859,  Dartmouth  College  honored  him  with 
the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Laws.  He  had  occupied  his  new- 
position  for  scarcel}*  two  years,  before  his  health  began  to 
give  way.  He  tried  eveiy  means  to  regain  it,  but  without 
success,  and  at  length  on  the  twenty-sixth  of  November, 
18G2,  he  sank  into  the  grave. 

Professor  Hoyt  married  Margaret  Chamberlain,  of  Exeter, 
who,  together  with  four,  it  is  believed,  of  their  five  children. 
is  still  living. 

In  selecting  the  foregoing  from  the  roll  of  instructors  for 
special  notice,  because  the}*  have  occupied  the  prominent 
positions,  and  have  been  longest  connected  with  the  man- 


i:\i-.n-.u 

agcment  of  the  Academy.  the  re  is  no  disposition  to  under- 
rate the  value  of  the  services  <i!'  others,  of  character  and 
accomplishments  scarcely  if  at  all  inferior.  \vlio  have  also 
exerted  their  full  share  of  influence  in  shaping  t!ie  course. 
and  adding  to  the  celebrity  of  the  school.  It  is  doubtful  if 
any  institution  in  the  land  can  boast  so  extraordinary  a  suc- 
cession of  teachers,  as  Exeter  has  enjoyed.  Year  after  year. 
the  most  brilliant  and  promising  young  men  of  their  time. 
after  taking  high  honors  at  College,  seem,  as  a  matter  of 
course  to  have  put  tlu-ir  talents  and  their  scholarship  at  the 
disposal  of  Kxeter.* 

Daniel  Dana,  Nathan  Hale,  Alexander  II.  Everett. 
Nathaniel  A.  Haven.  .Jr..  Xathan  Lord,  Henry  Wan-.  .lames 
Walker,  Joseph  Hale  Abbot,  Theodore  Tebbets,  not  to 
mention  others  of  the  distinguished  dead  or  of  the  distin- 
guished living,  were  men  of  high  mark,  and  exerted  a  power 
for  good  in  the  Academy.  Indeed  it  is  cause  for  much  con- 
gratulation and  thankfulness,  that  this  institution,  founded 
in  the  pure  spirit  of  charity  and  philanthropy,  has  so  wonder- 
fully escaped  the  dangers  of  misrule  and  no  rule,  throughout 
its  life  of  a  century,  and  has  been  so  uniformly  fortunate  in 
the  selection  of  those  to  whom  its  authority  and  its  work- 
have  been  delegated. 

The  present  board  of  instruction  consists  of  the  following 
members  : 

AI.IJERT  C.  PKKKIN-  1'h.  I).  Principal,  and  Odlin  Professor 
of  English.  Dr.  Perkins  is  a  native  of  Topslield,  Massachu- 
setts, and  a  graduate  of  Dartmouth  College.  Before  coming 
to  Kxetcr  lie  was  an  instructor  in  the  Phillips  Andover  Acad- 
emy. and  in  the  Danvcrs  High  school  :  and  for  ten  years  Mas- 
ter of  the  <  Miver  High  school  in  Lawrence,  Massachusetts. 
He  has  resigned  his  post  of  Principal,  and  at  the  close  of  the 
present  school  year  will  take  the  charge  of  the  Adelphi  Insti- 
tute in  Brooklyn,  New  York. 

A.  WI;M\VOI;TH.  A.  M.     Professor  of  Mathcmat- 


*For  a  list  of  Instructor*  -<•<    Appendix  .1. 


ACADEMY.  Go 

ics.  Professor  \Yent\vortli  is  a  native  of  Wakcfield,  New 
Hampshire,  and  a  graduate  of  Harvard  College  ;  and  has 
now  been  connected  with  the  corps  of  instruction  in  the  Acad- 
emy for  twcnt3*-fivc  years.  He  is  the  author  of  several  text 
books  in  Mathematics,  which  have  been  extensively  intro- 
duced in  the  higher  seminaries  of  the  country. 

Uu.vDi'.i  i;v  L.  CILI.EY,  A.  M.  Professor  of  Ancient  Lan- 
guages.  Professor  Cilley  was  born  and  bred  in  Exeter,  and 
graduated  from  Harvard  College  in  1851).  Ever  since  that 
time  he  has  been  an  instructor  in  the  Academy.  His  special 
attention  of  late  years  has  been  given  to  the  Greek  language 
and  Literature. 

OSCAR  FAUI.IIABER  Ph.  D.  Instructor  in  French  and  in 
German. 

JAMES  AUTIII  i;  Ti  FTS  A.  15.  Instructor  in  Latin  and  in 
English. 

CK  LYMAN  KITTI;KIH;E,  A.  B.      Instructor. 


G4  riui.ur.s  KXKIT.K 


V. 

THE  ( )n K  KKS.   I')|;M:I  \(  IOKS  and  An  MM. 

Of  the  mam"  able  and  public-spirited  men  who, 'in  various 
ways,  have  lent  their  aid  to  elevate  the  Academy  to  its  pres- 
ent dignity,  the  limits  of  this  sketch  will  admit  only  of  con- 
cise notices  of  a  few.  The  number  of  Trustees,  in  a  century, 
has  not  exceeded  forty,  and  their  terms  of  office  have  aver- 
aged more  than  seventeen  years  each.  Their  services  have 
of  course  been  nncompensated,  except  by  the  satisfaction 
derived  from  witnessing  the  growing  usefulness  of  the  insti- 
tution under  their  care.  The  fidelity  of  their  conduct,  in 
managing  the  pecuniary  resources  of  the  Academy,  lias  been 
the  subject  of  just  encomium. 

OLIVKI;  I'KAIIODV,  an  early  and  deeply  interested  member 
of  the  board,  was  the  son  of  a  farmer,  and  was  born  in  Ando- 
vcr,  Massachusetts,  the  cradle  of  so  many  of  the  early  friends 
of  the  Academy,  on  the  second  of  September,  1753.  At  the 
age  of  twenty  he  took  his  bachelor's  degree  at  Harvard  Col- 
lege ;  and,  having  completed  the  study  of  the  law  in  the 
office  of  the  Hon.  Theophilus  Parsons  in  Nuwburyport. 
Massachusetts,  he  established  himself  in  Exeter,  about  the 
year  1781. 

He  soon  rose  into  prominence.  The  year  17*'.i  saw  him 
Solicitor  for  the  County  ;  and  the  next  year.  State  Senator 
and  Judge  of  Probate.  In  17!>3  and  17JM  lie  sat  again  in 
the  Senate,  the  latter  year  as  President  thereof.  He  then 
filled  the  office  of  Treasurer  of  the  State  for  nine  vear.s.  In 


\<   ADK.MY.  65 

he  received  the  appointment,  ol'  Sheriff  of  the  County 
for  live  years  ;  and  in  1813  he  was  again  President  of  the 
Senate.  The  same  year  he  was  commissioned  a  Justice  of 
the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  ;  and  remained  upon  the  bench 
until  181(5.  Three  times  he  was  chosen  an  Elector  of  Presi- 
dent of  the  t'nited  States. 

Judge  IVabody.  in  addition  to  natural  powers  of  a  high 
order,  possessed  the  learning  and  cultivation  which  fitted  him 
to  discharge  the  duties  of  the  many  important  stations  to 
which  he  was  preferred,  with  dignity  and  credit.  Though 
an  excellent  lawyer,  he  had  no  liking  for  contention,  and  was 
seldom  concerned  in  litigated  causes  in  the  Courts.  Nature 
formed  him  for  popularity.  Handsome  in  person,  graceful 
in  manner,  with  a  mild  temper  and  a  social  disposition,  he 
won  the  confidence  and  good  will  of  all.  He  took  great 
pleasure  in  societ}*,  and  was  the  father  of  an  interesting  and 
accomplished  family.  William  B.  O.,  and  Oliver  W.  15. 
Peabody,  his  twin  sons,  were  students,  and  afterwards  teach- 
ers, in  the  Academy  ;  his  only  daughter  was  the  wife  of 
Alexander  II.  Everett. 

Judge  Peabody  was  chosen  a  Trustee  in  1 7(J4  and  con- 
tinued in  the  board  for  thirty-four  years,  the  last  twenty-two 
of  which  he  was  also  the  Treasurer. 

He  died  in  Exeter,  on  the  third  of  August,  1831. 

JOHN  TAYLOK  GILMAX  was  born  in  Exeter,  the  nineteenth 
day  of  December,  1753;  received  a  common  school  educa- 
tion, and  was  bred  to  commerce  and  trade.  On  the  morning 
after  the  outbreak  of  hostilities  at  Lexington,  he  marched  as 
orderly  sergeant  of  a  company  of  active  Whigs,  to  Cam- 
bridge, to  render  aid  to  the  cause  of  his  country.  He  did 
not  long  remain  in  the  field,  for  his  services  were  needed 
for  the  performance  of  equally  patriotic  duties  at  home.  His 
father,  Col.  Nicholas  Gilman,  the  Treasurer  of  New  Hamp- 
shire', was  one  of  the  most  trusted  and  influential  supporters 
of  the  Revolution,  and  required  the  assistance  of  his  efficient 
son  in  providing  the  needful  means  to  enable  the  State-  to 


I'.ii  1-1 1  ii. 1. 1  r.-   KXI.TKI; 

meet  thi'  exhausting  calls  that  were  made  upon  her  for  men 
and  money.  In  tin1  last  two  years  of  the  Revolution  tin- 
son  was  a  delegate  to  the-  Continental  Congress, — the 
youngest,  hut  not  tin1  least  influential  member.  In  the  year 
IT'.M  he  was  chosen  to  the  ollice  of  Governor  of  New  Ilamp- 
shiiv,  anil  his  administration  was  ><>  generally  acceptable 
that  he  was  retained  in  the  position  by  successive  re-elections 
until  ISO.").  Again  in  1S1«'{  hi-  was  recalled  to  the  executive 
chair,  and  served  for  three  years  more,  so  that  he  held  the 
oilice  of  (Governor  no  less  than  fourteen  years  in  all. 

( lov.  ( lilmau's  patriotism  and  honesty  were  above  ques- 
tion, even  by  his  political  opponents,  and  his  capacity  for 
business  is  proved  by  his  constant  employment  in  public 
affairs.  He  was  appointed  by  Dr.  Phillips  to  succeed  him  as 
Trustee,  and  occupied  the  position,  greatly  to  the  advantage 
of  the  Academy,  from  1795  to  1827,  when,  on  the  ground  of 
advanced  }'ears,  he  resigned  it.  By  virtue  of  the  privilege 
reserved  by  the  Founder  to  himself  and  his  appointee,  (iov. 
Gilman  might,  if  he  had  thought  it  expedient,  have  designat- 
ed the  person  to  succeed  him  in  the  trust ;  but  in  a  written 
communication,  characterized  by  his  usual  sound  sense  and 
judgment,  he  declined  to  exercise  the  power,  (iov.  Gil- 
man  was  President  of  the  board  from  179C  to  the  time  of 
his  resignation  ;  and  Treasurer  of  the  Academy  from  17!>.'i  to 
1806. 

He  was  deeply  interested  in  the  welfare  of  the  institution, 
and  spared  no  time  nor  effort  in  its  behalf.  During  the  thir- 
teen years  that  he  acted  as  Treasurer,  he  refused  all  com- 
pensation for  the  service  ;  and  in  171)1,  when  it  was  deter- 
mined to  erect  a  new  school  building,  he  generously  present- 
ed to  the  Academy  two  and  a  quarter  acres  of  land,  in  a 
most  eligible  part  of  the  town,  as  the  site  for  it. 

()!'  his  four  daughters  the  eldest  married  Nicholas  Kmery. 
an  early  instructor  in  the  Academy,  who  became  afterward- 
a  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Maine. 

<M>\.  (lilman  died  in  Kxeter.  August  thirty-first.  l.S^'S. 


\<    \HKMY.  <>/ 

DANIKI,  DAN  \  was  born  in -Ipswich,  Massachusetts,  the 
twenty-fourth  of  July.  1771.  lie  graduated  from  Dart- 
mouth College  in  the  class  of  1780,  and  was  employed  as  an 
instructor  in  the  Academy  for  about  three  years.  He  then 
studied  divinity,  and  was  settled  as  a  minister,  successively 
in  Newburyport,  Massachusetts,  and  in  Londonderry.  New 
Hampshire  ;  and  afterwards  over  another  parish  in  New- 
buryport.  In  the  }-ears  1820  and  1821  he  occupied  the 
oilier  of  President  of  Dartmouth  College.  As  a  preacher, 
a  theologian  and  a  ripe  and  thorough  scholar,  he  deservedly 
maintained  a  high  reputation. 

Dr.  Dana  was  chosen  a  Trustee  of  the  Academy  in  l.sOD, 
and  for  thirty-four  years  discharged  his  duties  with  regulari- 
ty and  fidelity.  He  regarded  the  Academy  as  a  nursery  of 
learning  and  virtue,  which  demanded  his  utmost  care  and 
solicitude.  The  records  of  the  Trustees  bear  abundant  tes- 
timony to  his  willing  and  useful  labors  to  promote  its  inter- 
ests. His  well-spent  life  was  brought  to  a  close,  the  twenty- 
sixth  of  August,  1859. 

JI:I;I:MIAII  SMITH  was  a  native  of  Peterborough,  New  Hamp- 
shire, born  the  twenty-ninth  of  November,  1759.  He  enter- 
ed Harvard  College,  but  after  a  brief  stay  there,  volunteered 
as  a  soldier  in  the  Bennington  campaign,  where  he  received 
a  wound.  He  completed  his  collegiate  course  at  Rutgeis 
College,  in  New  Jerse}',  in  1780;  then  studied  law,  and  was 
soon  hailed  as  a  rising  man.  He  made  his  mark  in  the  Leg- 
islature and  in  the  Constitutional  Convention  of  his  native 
State  in  1791-92,  and  afterwards  in  the  Congress  of  the  Unit- 
ed States,  where  he  sat  for  the  term  of  six  years.  His  abili- 
ties were  recognized  by  his  appointment  to  other  offices  of 
honor  and  responsibility  by  the  Executive  of  the  Nation  and 
of  the  State,  but  it  was  probably  as  Chief  Justice  of  the  Su- 
perior Court  of  New  Hampshire  that  lie  vrfls  most  distinguished. 
He  held  the  oil  ice  from  1802  to  1809,  when  he  resigned  it  on 
account  of  impaired  health,  and  again  from  1813  to  181G, 
when  a  reorganization  of  the  Courts  took  place.  In  the 


I'l.-*  IMIILI.irs    KXKTKK 

interval  between  his  two  terms  oi'  judicial  service.  In-  was 
elected  for  a  year  as  ( io\  ernor  of  the  State. 

About  1820  Judge  Smith  retired  I'm  in  active  business. 
His  life  was  prolonged  inure  than  twenty  years  afterwards, 
however,  and  his  powers  of  mind  were  never  dimmed.  He 
continued,  until  within  a  year  or  two  of  his  death,  to  occupy 
his  beautiful  mansion  on  the  western  skirt  of  the  village  of 
Kxetcr,  sin-rounded  by  his  family  and  friends,  universally 
respected,  interested  in  affairs,  enjoying  his  books,  in  a  green 
and  happy  old  age. 

He  was  chosen  to  succeed  Gov.  Gilman  as  a  Trustee  in 
1828,  and  was  made  President  of  the  board  in  1830.  He 
resigned  the  position  in  1812,  when  by  reason  of  his  removal 
from  Exeter,  and  of  bodily  infirmity,  he  felt  himself  incapaci- 
tated for  the  performance  of  further  duty.  He  also  filled  the 
office  of  Treasurer  during  the  same  period.  His  services  to 
the  Academy  in  various  ways  were  of  the  greatest  value. 
Through  his  encouragement  many  young  men  of  promise 
were  enabled  to  partake  of  the  advantages  of  the  school,  of 
whom  some  became  distinguished.  His  professional  knowl- 
edge and  his  wise  counsels  were  always  a  shield  of  safety  to 
the  institution. 

Judge  Smith  died  in  Dover.  New  Hampshire,  the  twenty- 
lirst  of  September,  1842.  His  son,  of  the  same  name,  was 
afterwards,  for  some  years,  a  Trustee. 

S.\MfKi.  HAI.K  was  born  in  Harrington.  New  Hampshire, 
in  the  year  17'J3.  His  grandfather  was  the  famous  Major 
Hale,  long  master  of  the  Grammar  school  in  Portsmouth,  and 
his  father  was  a  Judge  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas.  He 
graduated  from  Bowdoin  College  in  1814,  and  began  the 
Mudy  of  divinity  at  the  Theological  School  in  Cambridge, 
Massachusetts.  But  his  health  being  found  too  uncertain  to 
admit  of  his  undertaking  pastoral  duties,  he  was  advised  to 
adopt  more  active  employment.  For  a  time-  he  resided  in  his 
native  place,  from  which  his  fellow  citizens  elected  him  their 
Representative  in  the  Legislature  ;  and  afterwards  he  remov- 


ACADEMY.  G9 

ed  to  Portsmouth,  where  he  engaged  in  mercantile  business. 
About  the  3'car  1842  he  fixed  his  residence  in  Rollinsford, 
New  Hampshire,  and  there  passed  the  residue  of  his  life,  as 
a  manufacturer. 

Mr.  Hale  inherited  an  active  temperament,  and  a  love  for 
letters.  He  is  described  by  one  of  his  associates  in  the 
board  of  trust*  as  "a  man  »f  singular  vigor  and  energy,  wise 
in  counsel,  prompt  in  action,  of  liberal  culture  and  literaiy 
tastes  ;  and  though  always  crowded  with  business  of  his  own, 
always  ready  to  give  his  time  and  best  thought  to  the  inter- 
ests of  learning." 

He  was  chosen  a  Trustee  in  the  3Tear  1831  ;  and  in  1868 
was  promoted  to  the  presidency  of  the  board  ;  a  position  from 
which  he  was  removed  by  death  in  December,  1869. 

The  Hale  scholarship  was  established  by  the  liberality  of 
his  daughter,  Miss  Martha  Hale. 

CHARLES  BURROUGHS,  born  in  Boston,  Massachusetts,  the 
twenty-seventh  of  December,  1787,  was  a  graduate  of  Har- 
vard College  in  the  class  of  1808,  and,  as  a  minister  of  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  denomination,  was  rector  of  St.  John's 
church  in  Portsmouth,  New  Hampshire,  for  nearly  fifty  years. 
He  was  long  identified  with  several  benevolent  and  literary 
institutions,  by  his  gifts  thereto,  and  his  services  in  their 
management. 

Receiving  his  election  to  the  board  of  Trustees  of  the 
Academy  in  1835,  he  was  chosen  President  of  the  same  in 
1844,  and  continued  in  that  capacity  until  his  death  in  1867. 
A  courteous  gentleman,  an  accomplished  scholar,  filled  with 
the  spirit  of  kindness  and  humanity,  he  was  specially  drawn 
towards  this  fountain  of  learning,  and  as  has  been  aptly  said, 
held  it  "as  second  in  his  affections  only  to  the  church  of 
which  he  was  for  more  than  half  a  century  a  loyal  presby- 
ter." 

Dr.  Burroughs  by  his  will  bequeathed  to  the  Academy  as 
a  last  testimony  of  his  regard,  the  sum  of  $1,000,  for  the 

*Tlie  Rev.  Dr.  Peabody. 


70  run  in1-   i.  \KTKK 

foundation  of  tin-   scholarship  which  is  known   by  his  name. 

I).vvn»  W.  (iouiiAM,  was  a  native  of  Canandaigua,  New 
York,  and  was  horn  in  the  closing  year  of  the  last  century. 
At  the  age  of  lift  ecu  he  was  admitted  to  the  Academy,  and 
in  1*17  he  entered  Harvard  College,  graduating  in  due  course 
in  1*21.  He  studied  the  profession  of  medicine,  and  took 
up  his  residence  in  Exeter.  He  was  naturally  drawn  more 
closely  to  the  Academy,  from  the  fact  that  he  became  the 
son-in-law  of  Dr.  Abbot.  He  was  elected  a  Trustee  in  l.siL 
and  remained  in  the  board  until  his  decease  in  187:>  ;  being 
succeeded  therein  by  his  son,  Dr.  William  H.  (ioYham. 

Dr.  (iorham  was  remarkable  for  methodical  business  hab- 
its and  >ound  discretion;  qualities  which  were  of  essential 
value,  ill  his  connection  with  this  trust.  His  advice  was 
much  relied  upon  by  his  associates,  in  all  matters  relating  to 
the  school,  and  he  cheerfully  gave  his  personal  supervision 
to  a  great  number  of  details  that  needed  a  constant  and 
watchful  eye. 

The  venerable  widow  of  the  first  Principal,  as  long  as  she 
survived  him,  resided  with  her  daughter  in  the  family  of  Dr. 
(Iorham. 

AMOS  TUCK  was  a  native  of  Parsonsfield,  Maine,  born  the 
second  da}f  of  August,  1810.  He  lived  on  his  father's  farm 
until  he  was  seventeen,  and  then  prepared  himself  for  col- 
lege. Graduating  from  Dartmouth  in  1835,  he  chose  the  pro- 
fession of  the  law,  and  in  1838  began  the  practice  in  Exeter, 
in  company  with  the  Hon.  James  Bell,  who  was  for  some 
time  a  member  of  the  board  of  Trustees.  Their  profession  - 
al  business  for  many  years  was  one  of  the  largest  in  the 
State.  Mr.  Tuckjsoou  became  interested  in  political  matters, 
lie  was  one  of  the  leaders  in  the  revolt  against  the  democrat- 
ic party,  inaugurated  by  the  Hon.  John  P.  Hale,  (a  distin- 
guished Alumnus  of  the  Academy. )  and,  after  having  served 
in  the  State  Legislature,  was,  in  184G,  chosen  a  Representa- 
tive in  the  Congress  of  the  Tinted  States.  He  retained  his 
j  by  >ucci-ssivc  re-elections.  f.»r  six  years. 


ACADEMY.  71 

Hi1.  Tuck  was  a  prominent  member  of  the  ''Pence  Con- 
Congress, "assembled  in  18G1 ,  to  devise  measures,  it'  possible, 
to  avert  the  war.  President  Lincoln,  who  had  been  a  fellow 
member  of  Congress  with  him,  upon  his  accession  to  office, 
gave  Mr.  Tuck  the  appointment  of  Naval  Officer  at  Boston, 
and  upon  the  expiration  of  his  commission  in  1865,  re- 
appointed  him. 

Mr.  Tuck  came  into  the  board  of  Trustees  in  1853,  and 
continued  there  during  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  was  a 
devoted  friend  of  the  Academy,  and  freely  gave  it  the  benefit 
of  his  legal  knowledge  and  of  his  wide  business  experience. 
He  was  always  interested  in  the  subject  of  education,  and 
had  seen  much  service  as  a  member  of  boards  of  trust  of 
other  institutions,  so  that  his  counsel  and  assistance  were  of 
peculiar  value.  This  was  so  well  understood  that  he  was 
placed  upon  every  committee  of  importance,  with  scarce  an 
exception,  during  the  period  of  his  connection  with  the  Acad- 
emy. And  it  was  through  his  intervention,  that  the  gift  of 
$10,000  was  made  to  the  general  fund,  by  a  friend,  whose 
name  is  withheld  from  publication  by  his  own  desire. 

Mr.  Tuck  died  on  the  eleventh  of  December,  1879,  at  Exe- 
ter. The  Trustees,  in  passing  the  Resolution  customary  on 
the  decease  of  an  associate,  recited  the  many  and  varied 
wa}'S  in  which  he  had  rendered  efficient  service  to  the  Acad- 
emy, and  concluded  with  the  emphatic  assertion, — "His 
name  is  among  the  foremost  to  be  transmitted  in  our  records, 
as  friends  and  benefactors  of  the  institution  under  our 
charge." 

Other  names  upon  the  roll  of  the  Trustees,  both  of  the 
living,  and  of  those  whose  earthly  work  is  over,  might  fairly 
claim  a  place  in  these  pages,  did  space  permit.*  But  it  seems 
proper  not  to  dismiss  the  officers  of  the  Academy,  without 
at  least  a  brief  mention  of  some  of  those,  not  Trustees,  who 
have  had  the  immediate  care  of  the  fiscal  concerns  of  the  in- 
stitution. 


*For  a  list  of  the  Ollicers  see  Appendix  J. 


72  rim.up>  I:\KTER 


N  KIII  i  was  the  son  of  the  Rev.  William  Kelly,  mid 
was  horn  in  Warner,  New  Hampshire,  the  seventh  day  of 
March,  1780.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  graduated  from 
Dartmouth  College,  and  adopted  the  profession  of  law.  lie 
\\  MS  admitted  to  practice  in  1808,  and  opened  his  ofllce  in 
Northwood,  whose  citizens  soon  after  elected  him  as  their 
Representative  in  the  State  Legislature.  In  1814  he  had  a 
year's1  experience  as  editor  of  the  Concord  "Gazette,"  a  news- 
paper printed  at  the  capital  of  New  Hampshire.  He 
removed  in  1831  to  Exeter,  on  being  appointed  to  the  olliee 
of  Register  of  Probate,  which  he  held  until  1842.  In  184G 
and  1847  he  was  a  member  of  the  Executive  Council  of 
the  State. 

Mr.  Kelly  always  manifested  a  strong  inclination  for  liter- 
ature, and  for  historical  study.  After  his  removal  to  Exe- 
ter he  took  the  editorial  charge  of  the  "News-Letter,"  and  ren- 
dered the  paper  both  entertaining  and  instructive.  lie  pos- 
sessed a  fund  of  quaint  humor,  with  which  he  enlivened  the 
dryest  subjects.  A  series  of  historical  articles,  respecting 
the  early  persons  and  events  of  New  Hampshire,  which  Mr. 
Kelly  published  in  the  columns  of  his  newspaper,  were  of 
peculiar  value,  and  evinced  in  a  remarkable  degree  his  wide 
acquaintance  with  the  subject,  and  his  power  of  investing  it 
with  interest  and  attractiveness. 

Mr.  Kelly  acted  as  the  Treasurer  of  the  Academy  from 
1842  to  1855.  He  died  on  the  third  of  November,  1860. 

Bradbury  L.  Cilley,  A.  M.,  Professor  of  Ancient  Lan- 
guages, and  for  the  past  twenty-four  years  an  instructor  in 
the  Academy,  is  a  grandson  of  Mr.  Kelly. 

JOSEPH  TAYLOR  GILMAX,  a  son  of  Col.  Nathaniel  Gilman, 
of  Exeter,  was  born  on  the  twelfth  of  October,  1811.  He 
entered  the  Academy  in  1822,  and  remained  there  for  several 
years,  until  his  school  education  was  completed.  He  then 
became  a  clerk  in  bis  brother's  store,  and  in  1835  sailed  for 
China,  and  on  arriving  at  Canton  was  taken  into  the  employ 
of  the  important  mercantile  house  of  Russell  &  Co.  There 


ACADEMY.  73 

he  remained,  for  a  lime  as  clerk,  and  afterwards  as  a  part- 
ner, until  the  year  1846,  when  he  retired  from  the  firm  with  a 
competenc}',  and  returned  to  his  early  home. 

Here  he  passed  the  residue  of  his  life,  in  the  house  where 
he  was  born  ;  interested  in  the  cultivation  of  his  extensive 
farm,  and  in  all  that  went  on  about  him.  His  amiable  dis- 
position, kindness  and  courtesy  secured  him  the  regard  of 
all  who  knew  him,  and  his  knowledge  of  character,  sagacitj' 
and  exact  habits  of  business,  rendered  his  co-operation 
sought  for,  in  man}"  important  enterprises. 

He  assumed  the  Treasurership  of  the  Academy  in  the  year 
1855,  and  performed  the  duties  until  within  a  few  months  of 
his  decease,  which  occured  in  18G2.  In  accepting  Mr.  Gil- 
man's  resignation  the  Trustees  requested  the  President  to 
assure  him  of  their  high  appreciation  of  "the  good  judgment^ 
fidelity,  accurate  business  habits  and  courtesy  which  he  had 
manifested  during  the  whole  term  of  his  office  as  Treasurer." 

S.  CLARK  BUZELL  was  a  native  of  Northwood,  New  Hamp- 
shire, and  was  born  the  eleventh  of  June,  180G.  At  the  age 
of  thirteen  he  was  admitted  to  the  Academy,  and  when  he 
had  reached  nineteen,  was  engaged  in  a  mercantile  house  in 
Boston,  where  he  remained  eleven  }*ears.  He  then  returned 
to  his  native  town,  but  removed  in  1852  to  Exeter,  and 
resided  there  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  received  the 
appointment  of  Treasurer  of  the  Academy  in  18G2,  and 
resigned  the  office  after  having  filled  it  for  eighteen  }*ears. 

He  was  methodical  in  his  habits,  and  prudent  and  faithful 
in  a  remarkable  degree.  The  Trustees,  on  his  withdrawal 
from  office,  passed  a  resolution  that  "the  President  express 
to  Mr.  Buzell  their  thanks  for  his  services,  and  a  sense  of 
their  great  value." 

The  first  gift  of  money  to  the  Academy,  after  the  death  of 
the  Founder,  was  a  legacy  from  the  Hon.  Nicholas  Oilman,  of 
$1,000,  the  income  of  which  was  to  be  applied  to  the  instruc- 
tion of  students  in  vooal  music. 

NICHOLAS  OILMAN  was   a  brother  of  Gov.   John  Tavlor 


74  i-mu.ii's   I.XKTEU 

(iilman,  horn  in  Exeter,  the  tliinl  of  AuiriiM.  17.'..').  On 
attaining  his  majority  he  entered  tin-  army,  and  >erved 
through  the  Revolutionary  war.  the  latter  portion  of  the 
time  as  Assistant  Adjutant  (ieneral.  In  this  capacity  he 
took  the  account  of  the  British  prisoners  on  tlio  surrender  of 
Cornwallis  at  Yorktown. 

Col.  Gilman  was  long  in  public  otlice.  He  was  a  delegate 
to  the  Continental  Congress  from  1786  to  1788,  and  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Convention  which  framed  the  Constitution  of  the 
I'nited  States  ;  a  Representative  in  Congress  from  1789  to 
1797.  and  a  Senator  of  the  United  States  from  1805  to  his 
death  in  1814.  His  person  was  handsome,  his  manners  were 
polished,  and  he  possessed  many  accomplishments. 

JEHKMIAII  KIN<;MAN.  one  of  the  principal  benefactors  of  the 
Academy,  was  a  native  and  life-long  resident  of  Harrington, 
New  Hampshire,  where  he  died  in  1872,  at  the  advanced  age 
of  about  eighty  years.  He  was  by  occupation  a  fanner,  a 
man  of  good  natural  ability,  and  of  more  than  average  edu- 
cation. In  his  later  years  he  read  much,  and  took  more 
interest  in  books  than  in  tilling  the  soil.  In  his  younger 
days  he  represented  his  native  town  in  the  Legislature  of  the 
state. 

He  was  interested  in  educational  matters,  and  at  one  time 
supported  a  school  in  Barrington  for  those  pupils  who  had 
advanced  beyond  the  ordinary  studies  of  the  district  schools. 
It  is  probable  that  his  attention  was  specially  directed  to 
Phillips  Exeter  Academy  by  the  successful  career  of  his 
nephew.  Professor  Sylvester  Waterhouse,  (now  of  Washing- 
ton University,  St.  Louis,  Missouri,)  who  was  a  member  of 
the  Academy  from  1847  to  1850. 

JOHN  L.\x<;no\  SIIU.KV  was  born  in  Union,  Maine,  in  1804. 
He  was  fitted  for  college  in  the  Academy,  and  completed  his 
course  at  Harvard  College  in  182.5.  For  two  years  after,  he 
was  assistant  in  the  College  Library,  then  studied  for  the 
profession  of  the  ministry,  and  was  ordained  as  pastor  of 
the  parish  at  Stow,  Massachusetts,  in  1829.  but  remained 


ACADEMY.  75 

there  only  four  years,  when  he  returned  to  Uis  old  post  in 
the  College  Library.  In  18">G  he  was  promoted  to  the  posi- 
tion of  chief  librarian,  which  he  continued  to  hold  for  about 
twenty  years.  He  was  a  faithful  and  devoted  oilicer,  but 
found  time  to  do  no  small  amount  of  historical  and  literary 
work  besides.  lie  published  in  1851  a  history  of  his  native 
town  ;  he  was  editor  and  proprietor  of  the  "American  Maga- 
zine of  Useful  and  Entertaining  Knowledge  ;"  he  expended 
a  large  amount  of  labor  upon  the  cataloguing-  of  Harvard 
College,  and  has  issued  two  capacious  volumes  of  biographi- 
cal records  of  the  early  graduates, — a  marvel  of  patient  and 
industrious  research. 

Mr.  Sibley's  father,  a  country  physician  and  farmer, 
bequeathed  him  the  sum  of  about  five  thousand  dollars,  the 
accumulations  of  a  life  of  industry  and  frugality.  This 
legac}r  the  son  preserved  untouched,  and  presented  it,  a 
monument  of  filial  affection,  to  the  Academy  by  whose  bounty- 
he  was  provided  with  the  means  to  pursue  his  studies.  lie 
largely  added  to  it  from  his  own  means,  so  that  now  the 
aggregate  has  reached  nearly  seven  times  the  amount  of  the 
original  nucleus. 

WOODBRIDGE  ODLIN  was  an  Exeter  man  by  birth  and  by 
residence.  His  family  was  connected  by  marriage  with  that 
of  Mr.  Woodbridge,  the  first  Preceptor  of  the  Academy,  and 
he  doubtless  owed  his  Christian  name  to  that  circumstance. 
He  acquired  the  chief  part  of  his  education  at  the  Academy, 
having  entered  it  at  the  age  of  twelve  ;  and  he  maintained 
his  interest  in  it  through  life.  Beginning  his  business  career 
as  a  painter  and  manufacturer  of  carriages,  he  engaged  sub- 
sequently in  the  wool  trade,  in  which  he  became  skilful  and 
prosperous,  and  acquired  a  handsome  fortune. 

Mr.  Odlin  was  a  man  of  pronounced  views.  lie  had  a 
ready  speech  and  an  impressive  manner,  and  addressed  public 
meetings  with  much  effect.  He  was  repeatedly  ch'eUMl  to 
fill  public  positions,  in  the  legislature  and  the  like,  and 
always  acquitted  himself  with  credit.  In  all  good  works  he 


7T>  PIIIU.II'S     KXKTKi: 

took  his  full  share,  and  proved  himself  a  liberal  and  public 
spirited  citizen. 

Remembering  how  much  lie  was  indebted  lor  his  own 
instruction  to  the  English  department  in  the  Academy,  lie 
undoubtedly  saw  its  discontinuance  with  regret.  He  there- 
fore determined  to  devote  a  generous  sum  to  its  restoration. 
The  trustees  accepted  his  gift  upon  the  conditions  that  he 
annexed  to  it,  and  the  English  course  is  now  permanently 
reinstated  in  the  school. 

Mr.  Odlindied  the  twcnty-.'ourth  of  April.  187'.»,  at  the  age 
of  seventy-four. 

HENRY  WINKI.KY  is  a  son  of  William  AVinkley,  of  Har- 
rington, where  he  was  born  in  180G  ;  and  lived  upon  his 
father's  farm  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age.  He 
then  went  to  Boston  "to  seek  his  fortune,"  and  obtained 
employment  there  from  a  dealer  in  crockery  and  china  ware. 
He  was  afterwards  engaged  in  the  same  business  in  New- 
York,  and  finally  in  Philadelphia,  where  he  became  the  chief 
of  a  large  wholesale  and  importing  house.  About  thirty 
years  ago  he  retired  from  business,  having  been  highly  suc- 
cessful in  the  accumulation  of  property.  Since  then  he  has 
continued  to  make  Philadelphia  his  residence,  but  has  trav- 
elled extensively,  in  this  country  and  in  Europe.  AVithin 
the  few  past  j'ears,  he  has  distributed  large  sums  of  money 
among  institutions  of  learning  in  New  England. 

The  temptation  to  devote  an  extended  chapter  to  the 
Alumni,  is  only  controlled  by  the  want  of  sufficient  space. 
They  number  above  five  thousand,  and  represent  nearly 
every  State  and  Territory  of  the  Union,  besides  a  fair 
proportion  of  foreign  countries.  It  would  be  ai>  inter- 
esting task  to  enumerate  those  among  them  who  have 
attained  prominence  in  some  of  the  various  departments  of 
human  effort.  The  list  would  assuredly  be  a  long  one.  and 
would  include  many  men  of  national  repute, — some  whose 
fame  has  spread  wherever  civilization  extends. 

The  Academy  includes  among  her  earlier  sons,  especially, 


ACADKMV.  /  ^ 

an  extraordinary  group  of  eminent  men.  That  Webster  and 
Cass,  Everett  and  Dix,  Palfrey  and  Sparks  and  Bancroft 
should  have  appeared  at  a  single  school  in  the  space  of  fif- 
teen years,  is  indeed  wonderful.  And  yet,  proud  as  Exeter 
must  be  of  these  great  names  upon  her  roll,  their  greatness 
cannot  of  course  be  attributed  exclusively,  or,  indeed,  in 
an}'  very  great  degree,  to  the  effect  of  her  training.  No 
doubt  they  profited  much  by  the  lessons  of  her  able  and 
interested  instructors  and  mentors,  and  found  the  rugged 
pathway  to  learning  made  pleasanter,  through  the  halls  of 
Exeter,  and  smoother  to  their  feet.  But  men  of  their  excep- 
tional powers  would  have  achieved  eminence  with  an}*  train- 
ing— perhaps  with  no  training. 

A  school  is  fairly  to  be  judged  by  its  fruits  ;  not  by  a  few 
isolated  cases,  but  by  what  it  has  done  for  the  great  body 
of  those  whom  it  has  assumed  to  discipline  and  instruct. 
The  average  scholarship  of  its  pupils,  their  command  of 
their  powers,  their  habits  of  application,  their  love  for  learn- 
ing, their  ambition  to  excel,  their  manly  attributes,  courtesy, 
kindness,  truthfulness  and  honor,  are  all  elements  to  be 
weighed  in  assigning  to  the  school  which  nurtured  them  its 
true  place  in  the  scale  of  merit.  The  judicious  friends  of 
Phillips  Exeter  Academy,  while  making  no  claims  of  its 
superiority  over  other  admirable  and  better  endowed  schools, 
are  content  to  submit  its  pretensions  to  this  test.  And  they 
believe  that  the  examination  papers  and  merit  rolls  of  our 
colleges,  and  the  records  of  our  professional  seminaries,  as 
well  as  a  survey  of  those  employments  in  the  field  of  active 
life  in  which  thorough  early  training  most  tells,  will  show 
that  the  men  who  have  undergone  Exeter  drill,  and  formed 
themselves  by  Exeter  traditions,  have  taken  places  second 
to  those  of  the  graduates  of  no  other  American  school. 


7*  riiiLLir>  i  MM 


VI. 

THF,  RECREATIONS. 

It  has  been  remarked  that  Exeter  exhibits  fewer  class  so- 
cieties and  other  associations  for  diversion,  than  most  other 
schools  of  equal  magnitude.  There  is  perhaps  some  truth  in 
the  statement ;  but  it  is  not  to  be  inferred  from  this  circum- 
stance that  the  students  do  not  enjoy  an  abundance  of  rec- 
reations. Although  the  impress  of  work  is  visible  every- 
where, yet  amusements  receive,  and  have  always  received, 
their  full  share  of  attention  from  the  school. 

One  of  the  earliest  recreations  of  the  students  of  which  any 
record  remains,  was  derived  from  the  voluntary  performance 
of  military  exercises.  This  began  shortly  before  the  close 
of  the  last  century,  and  as  Lewis  Cass,  then  in  the  Academy, 
was  prominent  in  the  movement,  it  is  not  unlikely  that  he  was 
one  of  the  authors  of  it.  This  is  rendered  more  probable 
by  the  fact  that  his  father  was  at  that  time  an  officer  on 
active  duty  in  the  arm}-,  and  by  the  aptitude  for  the  martial 
profession  which  the  son  subsequently  evinced. 

The  first  definite  information  that  we  have  of  a  military 
organization  in  the  school,  is  on  the  occasion  of  the  obse- 
quies of  President  Washington,  in  17IM).  The  land  was  tilled 
with  mourning,  and  every  city  and  town  and  hamlet  paid 
honor  to  his  memory.  The  Legislature  of.  New  Hampshire 
was  in  session  in  Exeter,  when  the  intelligence  of  his  death 
was  received.  Resolutions  of  warm  admiration  for  the  virtue 
and  patriotism  of  the  deceased,  and  of  profound  sorrow  for 


ACADEMY.  7!> 

the  country's  bereavement,  were  adopted  by  both  Houses, 
and  it  was  voted  that  the  Executive  and  the  Legislature 
should  jointly  give  their  attendance  at  the  religious  exercises 
to  be  performed  in  the  town,  on  the  occasion. 

Accordingly  at  the  appointed  hour,  the  Governor,  attended 
by  the  Council,  together  with  the  .Senate  and  House  of  Rep- 
resentatives, marched  in  solemn  procession  to  the  church, 
where  appropriate  religious  services  were  held.  The  proces- 
sion was  preceded  by  "a  military  escort  formed  of  the  stu- 
dents of  Phillips  Exeter  Academy,  in  uniform,  with  proper 
badges  of  mourning."  Lewis  Cass  was  the  commander  of 
the  corps.  And  in  acknowledgement  of  the  service,  the 
Legislature  caused  to  be  printed  one  hundred  copies  of  Wash- 
ington's Farewell  Address,  and  of  the  record  of  their  own 
action  on  this  occasion,  and  ordered  that  a  copy  of  the  same 
should  be  given  to  each  of  the  students  of  the  Acadeni}'.  A 
few  copies  of  the  publication, — a  duodecimo  of  thirty-six 
pages, — are  still  extant. 

The  students'  military  corps,  took  to  itself,  perhaps  from 
this  occasion,  the  name  of  "the  Washington  Whites."  The 
uniform  adopted  by  its  members  consisted  of  a  frock  and 
pantaloons,  doubtless  of  some  white  material,  with  a  corres- 
ponding cockade  and  plume.  The  officers  wore  each  an 
epaulet,  the  captain  on  the  right  shoulder,  the  subalterns  on 
the  left.  The  company  usually  numbered  forty  or  fifty  pri- 
vates ;  the  officers  were  a  captain,  three  lieutenants,  an 
ensign,  four  sergeants  and  a  clerk.  They  ordinarily  parad- 
ed in  public  three  or  four  times  in  each  year,  and  performed 
escort  duty  for  the  Trustees  at  their  annual  meetings.  The}* 
appeared  several  years  on  the  Fourth  of  July,  when  that 
anniversary  was  publicly  observed  in  the  town  ;  and  twice 
turned  out  to  escort  Gov.  Oilman,  and  once  to  escort  Gov. 
Smith,  into  town,  on  their  return  from  "election." 

The  corps  embraced,  in  the  course  of  its  existence,  a  goodly 
number  of  lads  who  grew  in  after  life  to  be  men  of  note. 
Three  of  these,  at  least,  are  still  living ;  viz.  George  Kent, 


80  I'll i i.i. 1 1->   i.xi.TKi; 

Alpheus  S.  Packard  and  George  Bancroft.  Besides  these,  the 
roster  of  the  company  bore  the  not  unknown  names  of  Nath- 
aniel A.  Haven,  Jr.,  George  Washington  Storer,  William 
Plumcr,  Jr.,  James  II.  Duncan.  Edward  Everett,  Charles 
Folsoni,  William  Willis,  John  S.  Sleeper,  John  G.  Palfrey, 
William  B.  O.  and  Oliver  W.  B.  IVabody,  Kiehard  Ilildivth, 
Jonathan  P.  Cashing  and  Gideon  L.  Soule.  President 
dishing  was  a  captain,  and  Principal  Sonle  a  lieutenant; 
and  the  latter  used  to  describe  with  enthusiasm  the  excellent 
drill  and  the  soldierly  appearance  of  the  company,  in  its 
palmy  da3~s. 

The  military  ardor,  which  was  probably  kept  alive  by  the 
war  of  1812,  gradually  declined  after  that  was  over,  and  by 
the  year  1818  had  reached  so  low  an  ebb,  that  the  organi/a- 
tion  of  the  Washington  Whites  was  abandoned.  And  though 
attempts  were  repeatedly  made,  in  later  years,  to  resuscitate 
the  company,  they  were  attended  with  no  lasting  success. 
When  the  Southern  Rebellion  broke  out  upon  the  country  in 
1861,  the  great  body  of  the  students,  in  common  with  the 
youth  of  the  entire  North,  formed  themselves  into  drill-clubs, 
and  practiced  the  rudiments  of  the  military  art.  Of  course 
the  major  part  of  them  were  too  young  to  enter  into  actual 
service,  but  a  considerable  number,  who  were  of  proper  age, 
marched  from  the  school  to  join  the  Union  army.  They 
were  escorted,  with  ever}1  mark  of  honor,  by  their  fellow 
students,  to  the  train  which  was  to  bear  them  to  the  field, 
and  departed  amid  the  cheers  and  God-speeds  of  their  com- 
panions. 

A  chapter  of  deep  interest  might  be  written  upon  Phillips 
Exeter  Academy  in  the  war.  Her  gallant  sons  performed 
their  full  share  of  patriotic  service  on  every  battle  field  ; 
man}'  of  them  sealed  their  devotion  to  the  cause  of  their 
country  with  their  life  blood  ;  and  not  a  few  attained  high 
command,  and  wrote  their  names  by  deeds  of  daring,  and 
by  martial  achievements,  on  the  enduring  pages  of  histoiy. 

With  the  dissolution  of  the   military  company   in   1818,   a 


ACADEMY.  81 

new  subject  arose,  to  turn  the  students'  ideas  into  a  more 
pacific  channel.  Under  the  encouragement  of  Professor 
Ilildrcth,  the  Golden  Branch  Society  was  instituted;  and 
lads  once  ambitious  only  to  excel  in  the  exercises  of  the  sol- 
dier, now  panted  to  be  admitted,  with  the  chosen  few,  to 
the  arcana  of  the  new  nrystic  fraternity. 

The  design  of  the  societ}r  was  the  very  commendable  one 
of  associating  together  the  more  diligent  and  aspiring  of  the 
students,  for  social  and  intellectual  improvement.  Its  plan 
contemplated  the  election  of  new  members  by  the  society,  from 
each  successive  class,  in  a  certain  ratio.  For  more  than  fif- 
teen years  the  society  went  on,  recruiting  its  numbers  in  this 
way,  without  difficulty.  But  as  the  election  to  membership 
carne  to  be  regarded  as  a  desirable  distinction,  it  is  not  strange, 
that,  honestly  as  the  power  may  have  been  exercised,  jeal- 
ousy and  dissatisfaction  sometimes  manifested  themselves 
among  those  who  were  left  out.  No  overt  demonstration  of 
these  feelings  was  made,  however,  until  the  year  1837. 
That  was  about  the  time  when  the  anti-masonic  excitement 
pervaded  the  community,  and  rendered  wise  men  foolish,  on 
the  subject  of  secret  associations  ;  so  that  even  the  harm- 
less Phi  Beta  Kappa  society  of  our  colleges  was  compelled 
in  deference  to  the  popular  clamor,  to  surrender  the  dread 
secret  hidden  under  its  cabalistic  initials. 

This  jealousy  of  secret  societies  manifested  itself  in  the 
Academy  by  an  organized  opposition  to  the  Golden  Branch. 
A  number  of  the  students,  some  of  them  above  the  average 
standing,  declared  hostilities  against  the  society,  taking 
exception  not  only  to  its  secrecy,  but  also  to  its  arrogant 
pretentious  in  styling  itself  the  Golden  Branch,  as  if  to  imply 
that  the  remaining  branches  of  the  Academy  were  of  inferior 
metal.  They  also  complained  of  the  arbitrary  manner  of 
choosing  its  members,  and  of  their  lack  of  courtesy  to  the 
other  students. 

Another  society  was  formed  by  the  malcontents,  based, 
no  doubt,  on  more  liberal  principles,  and  avowedly  set  up  in 


82  PHILLIPS   EXETER 

opposition  to  the  Golden  Branch.  The  ollieers  of  the  new 
society  published  in  a  pamphlet  an  address  to  the  members 
of  the  old  one,  which  being  considered  disrespectful  in  its 
tone  to  the  authorities  of  the  Academy,  the  offenders  were 
removed  from  the  school.  A  part  of  their  number  made  such 
acknowledgements  that  they  were  allowed  to  return;  the 
others  went  their  way.  A  reorganization  of  the  Golden 
Branch  was  one  of  the  results  of  the  affair;  and  since  that 
time  it  has  maintained  no  such  secrecy  as  to  offend  the  most 
scrupulous. 

The  Golden  Branch  still  nourishes,  and  occupies  a  room 
in  the  main  Academy  building.  It  holds  its  regular  weekly 
meetings  for  literary  exercises,  and  possesses  a  library  of 
considerable  size  and  value.  It  is  not,  however,  the  only 
society  of  its  class  in  the  Academy.  Within  a  few  years  the 
G.  L.  Sonic  Literary  Society  has  been  established,  and  is  in 
successful  operation.  A  room  in  the  Academy  is  assigned 
to  this  Society,  also,  where  its  meetings  are  held,  and  its 
library,  now  of  respectable  dimensions,  is  deposited. 

In  the  earlier  days  of  the  Academy,  games  of  marbles 
were  much  in  vogue.  The  larger  boys  were  then  not  above 
carrying  their  pockets  full  of  the  common  yellow  clay  pellets 
which  were  the  stakes  of  the  game,  with  a  few  choice  white, 
or  striped  "alleys,"  to  be  used  as  projectiles.  It  was  not 
considered  infra  dig.,  for  even  a  senior  to  "knuckle  down" 
to  a  game  on  the  earthen  sidewalk,  and  the  cry  of  "no  fudg- 
ings"  was  enough  to  restrain  the  most  lawless  from  violating 
the  rules  of  the  ring.  But  marbles  seem  to  be  numbered 
with  the  things  that  were  ;  it  is  man}'  }'ears  since  the}'  disap- 
peared from  the  Academy. 

Football  and  hand-ball  have  kept  their  place  among  the 
sports  of  the  students  from  the  very  first;  though  the  rules 
of  play  with  them,  have  been  much  changed  of  late  years. 
Haifa  century  ago  football  was  the  simplest  of  games,  and 
every  l>oy  in  the  school  who  was  capable  of  running,  could, 
often  did.  take  part  in  it.  Some,  of  course,  by  natural 


ACADEMY.  88 

powers  and  by  practice,  acquired  a  great  superiority  over  the 
rest,  but  no  student  was  so  awkward  or  so  unskilful  that  ho 
was  debarred  from  playing. 

The  games  of  bat-and-ball  in  former  years  were  various, 
but  the  most  popular  were  '-four  old  cat"  and  base  ball.  The 
latter  alone  survives  to  this  day,  and  in  a  very  changed  con- 
dition. In  these  games,  as  in  football,  no  special  expert- 
ness  was  then  requisite  to  enable  one  to  join.  A  very  large 
proportion  of  the  students  participated  in  the  sport ;  and  the 
old  residents  will  readily  recall  with  what  regularity  Fast  day 
used  to  be  devoted  to  the  base  ball  of  the  period. 

But  those  games  have  greatly  changed  their  character  in 
latter  da\~s.  The  process  of  evolution  has  transformed  the 
simple  into  the  complex,  the  easy  into  the  difficult,  the 
healthful  recreation  into  a  tour  deforce.  No  more  are  these 
amusements  open  to  the  whole  school ;  they  are  now  practi- 
cally confined  to  a  small  number  of  picked  and  trained 
athletes.  It  is  not  an  edifying  spectacle  to  a  man  of  old- 
fashioned  prejudices,  to  see  half  a  score  of  muscular  young 
fellows,  in  fantastic  costumes,  having  all  the  play  (if  such 
tough  work  can  be  called  by  that  name)  to  themselves,  while 
a  hundred  or  two  of  their  school  fellows  sit  around  the  cam- 
pus, during  a  whole  afternoon,  with  no  other  occupation  than 
to  gaze  at  them.  If  the  purpose  of  school  games  is,  as  it 
has  generally  been  thought  to  be,  to  furnish  amusement  com- 
bined with  healthful  exercise,  it  certainly  seems  that  those 
should  be  preferred,  which  do  "the  greatest  good  to  the 
greatest  number."  And  it  is  a  satisfaction  to  see  that  a 
reaction  has  apparently  begun  in  the  school,  and  that 
games  are  now  introduced,  in  which  every  bo}',  without  spec- 
ial training,  can  join,  and  have  his  share  of  fun,  and  of  action 
as  well. 

The  English  public  school  game  of  "hare  and  hounds" 
has  been  occasionally  attempted  at  Exeter,  but  not  with 
entirely  satisfactory  results.  Neither  the  climate  nor  the 
face  of  the  country  is  so  well  adapted  for  it  here,  as  in  Eng- 


84  PHILLIPS    EXETER 

land.  Moreover  the  violent  exercise  of  rnuning,  over  con- 
siderable distances,  has  never  been  practiced  in  this  country 
to  any  great  extent. 

Boating  has  become  a  rather  popular  amusement  for  a 
number  of  years  past.  The  "salt  river"  affords  an  oppor- 
tunity for  excellent  practice.  A  boat  club  is  maintained 
in  the  Academy,  crews  are  carefully  selected,  and  coached 
after  the  approved  method.  Their  boats  are  the  work  of  the 
best  builders,  and  it  is  an  inspiring  sight  to  watch  the  crews 
pulling,  with  their  measured  stroke,  up  and  down  the  chan- 
nel. Boating,  however,  as  it  is  at  present  conducted,  though 
it  furnishes  excellent  exercise,  is  too  expensive  an  amuse- 
ment to  be  generally  indulged  in. 

The  bicycle,  too,  is  a  rather  costly  machine,  and  its  use  is 
therefore  somewhat  limited.  This  is  not  to  be  regretted,  for 
though  as  a  means  of  locomotion  it  is  rapid,  and  enables  one 
to  take  an  airing  with  facility,  yet  as  a  method  of  obtaining 
bodily  exercise  it  is  very  defective.  The  lower  limbs,  no 
doubt,  have  enough  of  it,  but  the  constrained  position  of  the 
upper  part  of  the  body  cannot  but  be  injurious.  No  one 
desires  to  become  round  shouldered  or  flat  chested,  even  if 
he  is  satisfied  with  the  abnormal  muscular  development  of  a 
kangaroo. 

Exeter  has  never  been  disgraced  by  the  practice  of  "hax- 
ing."  In  former  times,  there  were  certain  ordeals  which  new 
comers  were  obliged  to  undergo,  but  they  were  only  rough, 
never  brutal.  Two  of  them  are  alluded  to  by  the  venerable 
Col.  George  Kent,  in  his  versified  account  of  the  sports  of 
Exeter,  three-fourths  of  a  century  ago.*  One  of  these  \v:is 
"shinning  up"  a  bare  post  in  the  Academy  ;  and  though  this 
would  have  been  only  a  pastime  to  those  light  active  boys, 
who  seem  to  climb  as  naturally  as  squirrels,  yet  it  must  have 
been  a  serious  trial  to  some  of  the  clumsy  ones. 

"Scrubbing"  was  the  other  ordeal.  When  the  first  snow 
of  the  winter  came,  every  new  boy  had  to  be  washed  in  it. 

•Appendix  K. 


A<'AI>KMY.  *.") 

Jf  he  was  a  wise  urc'liin  he  submitted  to  $he  operation  kindly, 
and  escaped  with  M  comp:ir.'itively  gentle  handling.  l>uf  if 
he  resisted,  so  much  the  worse  for  him.  A  do/en  strong 
arms  held  him  fast,  while  his  face  was  diligently  scrubbed 
with  the  newly  fallen  Hakes  (not  unmixed  with  sand  or  grav- 
el) until  the  unfortunate  wight,  with  tingling  cuticle,  and 
eyes  full  of  tears,  was  lain  to  beg  for  mercy. 

Winter  was  the  season  of  many  amusements.  Skating  on 
the  river,  and  coasting,  especially  when  the  snow  was  cov- 
ered with  a  (-rust  that  would  bear  the  weight  of  a  boy  and 
sled,  wei'e  favorite  pastimes.  Snowballing,  in  former  times, 
was  not  confined  to  the  occasions  when  a  fresh  downfall  or  a 
thaw  rendered  the  snow  temptingly  plastic,  but  was  a  busi- 
ness that  lasted  the  season  through.  Forts  of  solid  frost- 
work used  to  be  erected,  which  were  the  objects  of  attack 
and  defence,  in  a  very  creditable  imitation  of  genuine  war- 
fare. 

There  is  a  tradition  of  one  snow  fort  in  particular,  built 
not  very  long  after  the  termination  of  the  last  war  with  Great 
Britain,  which  was  of  unprecedented  strength  and  magni- 
tude. On  its  lofty  battlements  a  sentinel  student  kept  watch 
and  ward  by  night  and  by  daj',  lest  the  hostile  town  boys 
should  capture  it  by  a  sudden  onslaught.  A  bell  crowned  its 
summit,  to  sound  an  alarm  to  the  garrison,  should  danger 
threaten.  Evciy  student  felt  in  honor  bound  to  do  his  duty 
manfully  as  a  defender  of  this  citadel  of  his  order.  A  store 
of  ammunition  was  provided  in  the  form  of  snow  ballss  soak- 
ed in  water  and  frozen  to  ice,  so  that  when  impelled  by  stal- 
wart arms,  they  were  little  less  to  be  dreaded  than  veritable 
bullets. 

Perhaps  this  eternal  vigilance  and  these  bellicose  prepara- 
tions impressed  the  town  boys  with  a  wholesome  dread  of 
assaulting  a  work  as  apparently  impregnable,  in  which  they 
were  likely  to  get  more  bruises  than  glory  ;  on  that  subject 
tradition  is  silent.  .Hut  the  fort  if  it  were  ever  captured,  was 
not  demolished.  Through  the  long  winter  it  stood  in  unim- 


86  rim. UPS  KXKTKH 

paired  solidity  :  tin-  gentler  breath  of  spring  failed  to  sap  its 
icy  foundations:  and  even  summer,  with  its  sunshine  and 
tropical  showers,  seemed  lor  a  while'  powerless  to  cope-  with 
this  frosted  nionument  of  si  ITU  winter's  reign  ;  so  that  it  was 
not  till  the1  sultry  heats  of  July,  Unit  its  last  vestiges  disap- 
peared. 

And  then  it  was  found  that  from  the  spot  where  those  too 
solid  walls  had  stood,  every  trace  of  vegetation  had  van- 
Nied.  All  that  remained  to  tell  where  the  great  snow  fort 
had  been  reared,  was  a  wide  circular  tract  of  dead  sand,  in 
the  midst  of  the  beautiful  greenery  of  the  Academy  yard. 
Xor  diil  the  memory  of  the  icy  fortress  perish  in  a  single 
year.  Springs  came  and  summers  went,  and  still  no  blade 
of  grass  enlivened  the  dull  gray  of  that  charmed  circle  where 
once  stood  the  memorable  structure.  Every  new  boy.  as  he 
wonderingly  inquired  the  cause  of  this  strange  phenomenon, 
listened  tirrectis  auribus,  to  the  strange  explanation  fur- 
nished by  his  more  sophisticated  companions,  and  ga/ed 
upon  this  indisputable  evidence  of  departed  glories,  with  the 
interest  and  with  the  faith,  of  a  juvenile  Schliemann. 

This  chapter  might  be  indefinitely  prolonged.  The  rec- 
ollections of  the  "old  boys"  would  afford  the  materials 
for  a  volume,  upon  the  pastimes  of  former  generations  of 
pupils;  and  an  abstract  of  the  contents  of  "the  Pean.'' 
would  disclosed  the  number  of  secret  societies  known  by 
Greek  initials,  of  associations  for  religious,  political,  literary, 
musical  and  various  other  purposes  of  amusement  and  im- 
provement, which  the  students  at  this  time  maintain  ;  among 
which,  and  worthy  of  special  mention,  is  the  list  of  editors 
of  "the  Exonian,"  a  newspaper  for  several  years  past  issue  d 
weekly  during  term  time,  devoted  to  college  and  academy 
new-,  and  conducted  with  marked  ability,  taste  and  judgment. 

But  these  things  would  swell  this  sketch  far  beyond  its 
allotted  size  ;  and  an  allusion  to  one  pleasant  custom  of  the 
Academy,  now  for  many  years  fallen  into  desuetude,  must 
tiring  it  to  a  close. 


\CADKMY.  87 

annual  exhibitions  of  the  Academy  were  formerly 
occasions  of  great  interest  to  the  school  and  to  the  town  and 
vicinity.  For  them  elaborate  preparations  were  made  ;  and 
the  number  of  delighted  spectators  was  limited  only  I)}'  the 
capacity  of  the  Academy  hall.  Ushers,  of  resolution,  and  of 
muscle,  too,  were  indispensable  to  repress  the. eagerness  of 
outsiders  to  rush  in  before  the  dignitaries  had  been  deco- 
rously placed  in  the  scats  of  honor  assigned  to  them,  as  well 
ns  to  preserve  order  during  the  performance  of  the  exercises. 
Every  youth  who  was  honored  with  a  part,  entertained  a  full 
sense  of  his  importance  ;  and  the  audience  regarded  "the 
Doctor,"  at  whose  nod  the  exercises  proceeded,  as  if  he  were, 
as  indeed  in  a  sense  he  was,  the  monarch  of  all  he  surveyed. 

It  is  interesting  to  scan  the  old  "orders  of  exercises,"  at 
those  exhibitions.  The  very  earliest  ones,  in  which  might 
probably  be  found  the  names  of  some  of  those  whose  subse- 
quent career  reflected  most  luster  upon  the  Academy,  are 
not  now  to  be  found.  In  that  of  seventy-six  years  ago,  the 
"Salutatory  Oration  in  Latin"  was  assigned  to  Edward 
Everett,  and  a  part  also  to  Nathaniel  H.  Carter,  whose  prema- 
ture death  precluded  the  complete  fulfilment  of  his  early 
promise.  In  the  exhibition  of  1814,  Jonathan  P.  Gushing 
and  Gideon  L.  Soule  took  part ;  and  in  1818  "a  Poem"  was 
recited  by  Thomas  "W.  Dorr,  afterwards  noted  for  his  con- 
nection with  the  popular  movement  in  Rhode  Island  which  in 
1842  was  termed  rebellion,  but  would  probably  be  thought 
deserving  of  a  milder  designation,  at  present.  In  1822 
appeared  Richard  Hildrcth,  of  literary  and  historic  fame  ; 
in  1823  Alpheus  Crosby  the  learned  professor,  John  P.  Hale 
the  eminent  advocate. and  Senator,  and  John  H.  Warland 
the  poet  editor,  whose  abilities  have  scarcely  received  due 
recognition. 

In  the  later  orders  of  exercises  a  greater  number  of  names 
are  met  with,  which  happily  arc  not  yet  "starred."  And  in 
1825  and  1826  are  found  those  of  Charles  W.  Woodman, 
Luther  D.  Sawyer  and  Hamilton  E.  Perkins,  who,  notwitlj- 


88  nm.i.ii-s   I.NI.TKK 

standing  considerably  nunv  tlian  hall' a  centiir\  has  pa»ed 
over  their  whitening  heads  since  they  performed  upon  the 
stai;v  !>!'  Mxeter.  are  coiilidently  expected  to  unite,  with  their 
seniors  a>  .we'll  as  their  juniors,  in  celenrntiiiLf.  with  all  their 
youthful  enthusiasm,  the  centennial  birthday  of  Phillips 
Kxcter  Academv. 


.\r\KK.\n. 


APPENDIX. 

A,  page  (!. 

I.KTTKi:     FROM    JOHN     PHILLIPS    To    MKS.     .JosiAIl    «.I!.M\N. 

.\MM>VKK.  December  17.  17i!."». 

Mv  DKAK  Mus.  (in. MAN:  I  am  calmest  charmed  with  the 
beautiful  and  animated  lines  with  which  you  have  favored 
me.  I  have  been  ardently  wishing  for  your  dear  grandmoth- 
er's picture,  and  you  make  me  happy  in  presenting  me  there- 
with. Methinks  the  lovely  person  lives  in  yon.  and  that  the 
old  mansion  house  is  once  more  enlivened  and  ornamented 
with  the  living  image  of  its  late  inhabitant.  Your  fondness 
for  my  return  minds  me  of  her  anxiety  for  me  when  absent, 
and  the  sweet  welcome  which  her  faithful  heart  discovered  in 
her  countenance,  as  well  as  with  her  lips,  when  she  received 
me.  Her  tender  concern,  quick  sensibility  and  just  resent- 
ment upon  the  appearance  of  anything  injurious  to  my  per- 
son or  character,  your  feeling  heart  lias  dictated,  and  your 
read\T  pen  described  in  the  most  lively  manner. 

I.ut  I  forbear  ;  I  consider  you  are  yet  living,  and  may  you 
live  long  to  make  my  friend  happy  in  your  copying  after  an 
example  which  it  is  your  laudable  ambition  to  imitate. 

I  take  this  opportunity  to  express  my  thankfulness  for 
the  favor  I  obtained  of  the  Lord  when  the  wife  of  my  3-011111 
gave  her  hand  with  her  heart  to  so  unworthy  a  person,  who 
appears  to  himself  to  have  been  but  as  a  foil  to  make  her 
excellent1:'  more  resplendent.  He  who  kindly  gave,  hath 
taken.  I  bless  his  name — but  my  breast  heaves  — my  heart 
still  bleeds  ;  the  image  is  too  deeply  impressed  to  be  eilaced. 
Is  she  dead?  Oh,  she  yet  speaks;  her  works  speak  for  her; 
her  Sarah  rises  up  and  calls  her  blessed.  Her  husband, 
also,  (whilst  he  laments  his  own  grievous  failings)  praiseth 
lu-r  and  praiseth  God  for  his  undeserved  goodness  in  blessing 
him  with  such  a  consort — a  consort  so  amiable,  cheerful,  fru- 


HO  rim ,I.IP>    i  \i  M  i; 

gal.  wise,  prudent,  peaceable,  meek,  modest,  neat,  diligent . 
careful,  contented,  of  such  steady  conduct,  strict  virtue  :uid 
exemplary  piety,  so  apparent  in  the  constant  discharge  of  the 
various  duties  of  the  Christian  life  — and  in  the  prospect  of 
death  ho\v  remarkable  serene  and  submissive  to  the  will  of  her 
Father  which  is  now  done.  And  what  remains  but  that  we 
al>o  be  subject  to  his  will,  and  have  our  conversation  where 
we  doubt  not  she  is,  and  endeavor  to  become  followers 
of  Christ  as  she  was.  and  followers  of  her  and  all  those 
who,  through  faith  and  patience,  are  none  to  inherit  the 
promise.  May  her  offspring  be  the  blessed  of  the  Lord,  and 
her  and  my  dear  namesakes  find  their  names  written  in  the 
Lamb's  book  of  life. 

Which  is  the  prayer  of 

Your  ever  lovinu. 

j.  P. 


B,  page  11. 

LLTTKKS    cil      .IOIIN     PHILLIPS    TO    MIS    P.KOTIIKKs. 
To    S.VMfKL    rilll. I. IPS. 

KXI/IT.I;.   May  iM,   17G2. 

DKAK  15i:<  >ri[i:i;  :  As  I  hear  you  are  relieved  from  a  part  of 
public  business,  which  necessarily  engrossed  much  of  your 
time  and  attention,  you  have  now  more  leisure  to  employ 
your  thoughts  and  cares  upon  the  very  important  proposal 
yon  made,  of  a  united  effort  in  our  family,  for  doing  some 
special  service  for  God.  Pray  let  me  know  Father's  and 
Brother's  thoughts  thereon,  and  what  your  present  appre- 
hension is. 

It  appeal's  by  a  public  advertisement  there  is  a  new  Socie- 
ty incorporated  at  Boston  for  the  purpose  which,  you  remem- 
ber I  told  you,  laid  most  upon  my  mind.  Pray  write  me 
what  to  yon  has  an  encouraging  or  discouraging  aspect  upon 
that  scheme.  Our  parents  designed  and  educated  nstoscrve 
Christ  personally  in  the  work  of  the  ministry;  our  time  has 
been  otherwise  employed ;  our  other  labors  by  his  blessing 
succeeded.  May  our  ( iod  ha ve  the  fruits  of  them  for  the 
carrying  to  an  end  the  same  blessed  work  by  such  whom  he 
shall  please  to  -end. 


(Extract )   To  WILLIAM   PHILLIPS. 

KXKTKIJ,  June  2,  17G2. 
I  would  gladly  know  who  was  chose  President  and  who  are 


\<  ADKMV.  Ill 

the  principal  members  of  a  Society  lately  incorporated  in 
Boston  for  sending  the  gospel  among  the  heathen,  (as  I  sup- 
pose, having  only  seen  an  advertisement  in  the  Boston 
paper,)  whether  the  gentlemen  who  arc  at  the  expense  of 
this  service  belong  to  this  country  or  Great  Britain  :  to  what 
nations  or  tribes  are  the  missions,  and  who  the  missionaries. 
I  am  the  more  inquisitive  as  I  apprehend  a  service  of  this 
nature  is  of  the  utmost  importance,  and,  if  under  due  regula- 
tions, ought  to  be  greatly  encouraged,  not  only  by  particular 
persons,  but  by  the  several  governments,  since  Heaven  has 
granted  us  such  marvellous  successes. 

Has  Christ  subdued  our  enemies  around  us,  and  shall  we 
not  unite  our  endeavors  to  bring  them  under  his  yoke  ?  Grat- 
itude, my  Brother,  gratitude  to  our  beneficent  Lord  requires 
it ;  compassion  for  the  souls  of  our  fellow-creatures  calls  for 
it.  AVras  there  ever  a  more  open  door,  or  a  people  less 
excusable  if  so  great  a  work  (heretofore  too  much  neglected) 
should  not  now  be  generally  promoted,  with  cheerfulness  and 
zeal  ? 


C,  page  14. 

EPITAPH    ON    THE    KOUNDKK. 

JOHN  PHILLIPS,  LL.  D. 

Founder  of  the  Phillips  Exeter  Academy. 

An  Associate  Founder  of  the  Phillips  Academy  in  Andover, 

And  a  liberal  benefactor  of  Dartmouth  College, 

Died 

April  21,  1795 
aged  75  }'ears. 

Actuated  by  his  ardent  attachment  to  the  cause  of  Christianity 
He  devoted  his  wealth  to  the  advancement  of 

Letters  and  Religion. 

His  appropriate  monument  are 

The  institutions  which  bear  his  name. 


D,  page  22. 

While  preparing  these  sheets  for  the  press  the  writer  was 
favored  by  the  Hon.  Mellen  Chamberlain,  of  Boston,  with  a 
bundle  of  old  bills  incurred  by  the  three  sons  of  Mr.  Moses 
Grant,  while  attending  the  Academy  in  the  years  17!»S  and 
17!)!).  They  boarded  in  the  family  of  Deacon  Samuel 
Brooks,  a  highly  respectable  citizen  of  the  town,  at  the  cost 
of  12  per  week,  which  apparently  included  lodging  and 


'.'•J  run. i. IP-    i  \i 

washing  also  They  were  tinder  tin-  cl.ar.ii'  of  Mi'.  IVter 
Thacher.  .Jr..  who  is  presumed  to  have  In  en  the  same  person 
whose  name  now  appears  in  the  catalogue  as  an  instructor  in 
IT'.K1.  with  the  middle  initial  of  "O,"  and  was  afterwards  the 
•  lud^e  of  the  Municipal  Court  of  Boston. 

Next  to  the  l>oard  Mil.  the'  largest  item  is  for  dancing  les- 
sons irivcn  by  M.  Kenard.  bcin.u'  £•">•">  for  a  year's  instruction. 
It  appears,  therefore,  that  in  those  early  days  of  the  Acad- 
emy, dancing  was  not  considered  incompatible  with  study. 
The  only  books  nicMitioned  as  purchased  in  Exeter,  are  Latin 
( irammar.s.  .Ksop's  Fables.  M  HSC'>  (ieo^rapliy.  Young's 
and  Kntick's  Dictionaries,  and  the  Village  Harmony. 
"Hunches  of  quills,"  and  "papers  of  ink  powder"  amou<>-  the 
items,  remind  us  of  the  dillicnlties  under  which  our  ju'rand- 
fathers  had  to  labor  in  order  to  obtain  the  materials  for 
writing  their  beautiful  and  elaborate  letter--.  A  charge  for 
"tackling  the  skates"  shows  that  the  students  of  that  day 
practiced  the  exhilarating  exercise  of  skating  on  the  river: 
while  "cash  to  Mrs.  Taylor  for  making  a  uniform"  carries  us 
back  to  the  primitive  ai{e. — lonu  since  outgrown.—  when 
younu'^ters  did  not  disdain  to  allow  their  <rarments  to  be 
fashioned  by  women. 


!•;,   pa-e   -2i]. 

There  is  preserved  amonu  the  .papers  of  the  Academy  a 
list  of  the  students  who  were  awarded  pri/.es,  during  the 
ei'_rht  years  that  this  vote  of  the  Trustees  continued  in  force. 
The  number  varied  in  different  years,  from  eiuht  in  1-so!) 
to  two  in  1.S13.  Two  of  the  recipients,  at  least,  are  still 
living;  (leor^e  Kent,  who  in  180!)  was  adjudged  entith-d  to 
three  dollars  for  the  highest  improvement,  made  amonu'  the 
members  of  certain  specified  classes,  in  Latin  and  (Jreek. 
"particular  I'eii'ard  bciii!i  had  to  accuracy  and  correctness  ;" 
and  (leoriie  IJancroft  who  in  1*12  carried  oil' the  pri/.e  of  four 
dollars,  as  "the  scholar  who  most  distinguished  himself  in 
oonstrninu  ami  parsing  the  (Jreek  and  Latin  landmines." 
llis  reward  appears  to  have  been  <jiven  him  in  the  form  «\  a 
book.  "Elements  of  Criticism  ;"  and  it  may  be  inferred  from 
his  subsequent  career  that  he  made  a  ;_M>od  use  of  it. 

A  few  of  the  written  exercises  prepared  for  competition 
have  been  preserved,  evidently  on  account  of  the  beauty  of 
their  execution.  They  are  specimens  of  Latin  composition  : 
and  while  we  may  fairly  hope  that  the  students  of  our  own 
time  can  boast  an  equal  proficiency  in  the  laminate,  yet  we 


despair  of  ever  again  seeing  in  the  Academy  such  perfect 
calligraphy.  Three  of  the  pieces  are  the  work  ol'  lads  who 
carried  the  same  haliils  of  carefulness  and  linish.  if  not  the 
same  heaiitit'nl  penmanship,  into  the  work  of  their  later  years, 

by  which  their  names  have  been  rendered  famous,  vix  : 
Charles  Folsom.  -lolin  G.  Palfrey  and  .lared  Sparks. 


F,  page  -211. 

LIST    OK    STriMKS.     ADOl'TLl)    IN     ISIS.     [N    TIIK    At  . VDKMY. 
CLASSICAL     IM.rAUTMKXT. 

For  tlui  First  Year  : 

Adam's  Latin  Grammar  ;  Liber  Primus,  or  a  similar  work  : 
Viri    Romani,    or    Cesar's   Commentaries ;    Latin    Prosody  : 
Exercises  in  Reading  and  making  Latin  ;  Ancient  and  Mod- 
ern Geography  :  Virgil  and  Arithmetic. 
For  the  Second  Year  : 

Virgil  ;  Arithmetic  and  Exercises  in  Reading  and  making 
Latin,  continued ;  Yalpey's  Greek  Grammar;  Roman  His- 
tory: Cicero's  Select  Orations:  Delectus;  Dal/el's  Collec- 
tanea Gr;eoa  Minora  ;  Greek  Testament:  English  Gram- 
mar and  Declamation. 

For  the  Third  Year  : 

The  same  Latin  and  Greek  authors  in  revision  ;  English 
Grammar  and  Declamatioy  continued:  Sallust  :  Algebra: 
Exercises  in  Latin  and  English  translations,  and  Composi- 
tion. 

For  the  Advanced  Class  : 

Collectanea  Gneca  Majora  :  Q.  Horatius  Flaccus  ;  Titus 
Livius  ;  Parts  of  Terence's  Comedies  :  Excerpla  Lalina,  01- 
such  Latin  and  (ireek  authors  as  may  best  comport  with  the 
student's  future  destination:  Algebra:  Geometry:  Ele- 
ments of  Ancient  History  ;  Adam's  Roman  Antiquities,  etc. 

F.Mil.ISII     DKI'AKTMEXT. 

For  admission  into  this  department  the  candidate  must  be 
at  least  twelve  years  of  a<i'e,  and  must  have  been  well 
instructed  in  Reading  and  Spelling;  familiarly  acquainted 
with  Arithmetic,  through  Simple  Proportion  with  the  excep- 
tion of  Fractions,  with  Murray's  English  Grammar  through 
Syntax:,  and  must  be  able  to  parse  simple  English  sentences. 

The  following  is  the  course  of  instruction  and  study  in  the 
English  Department,  which  with  special  exceptions,  will 
comprise  three  years. 


!>I  I'lIM.l.ir-    I.XMTI; 

For  tlu«  First  Year  : 

English  (irammar  including  exercises  in  Reading,  in  Pars- 
iu-j;  and  Analy/ing,  in  the  correction  of  bad  English  ;  Pnnc- 
liiMtion  and  Prosody:  Aritlnnctic  :  (leography.  :ind  Algebra 
through  Simple  Kquations. 

For  the  Second  Year  : 

Knglish    (irammar  continued:    Geometry:     1'hme    Trigo 
noniet ry  and  its  application  to  heights   and  distances:   men- 
suration of  Sup.  and   Sol.:    Klenients    of    Ancient    History: 
Logic:    Rhetoric;    English  Composition:    Declamation  and 
e\erci>es  of  the  Forensic  kind. 

For  the  Third  Year : 

Surveying:  Navigation;  Elements  of  Chemistry  and  Nat- 
ural Philosophy .  with  experiments;  Klenienls  of  Modern 
History,  particularly  of  the  United  States  :  Moral  and  Politi- 
cal Philosophy,  with  English  Composition,  Forensics  and 
Declamation  continued. 


G,  page  30. 

1>U.    Al'.l'.OTs'    LKTTKK    ol      KKSKJKATIOX. 

To  the  honorable  Board  of  Trustees  of  Phillips  Exeter  Acad- 
emy: 

Gentlemen: — It  is  now  fifty  years  since  under  your  direc- 
tion I  commenced  the  government  and  instruction  ol'  Phillips 
Exeter  Academy.  Age  and  infirmity  admonish  me  that  it  is 
time  to  retire  from  a  scene  of  labor  and  responsibility  which 
is  better  suited  to  an  earlier  period  of  life,  and  may  lie  more 
successfully  sustained  by  younger  men.  At  the  close  of  this 
long  period  of  active  service  it  is  a  satisfaction  to  me  that  I 
leave  the  institution  where  my  strongest  sympathies  and 
uninterrupted  labors  have  been  employed,  in  a  comparatively 
prosperous  condition. 

If  in  any  measure  the  objects  of  the  pious  Founder  have 
l>een  attained,  and  the  reasonable  expectations  of  the  public 
satisfied,  much  is  to  be  attributed  to  union  in  counsel  and  the 
constant  aid  and  support  of  the  Trustees, — and  I  cannot  on 
this  occasion  omit  to  express  my  grateful  obligation  to  the 
Hoard  wlio.se  uniform  kindness  and  courtesy  I  have  ever 
experienced,  and  which  have  greatly  contributed  to  alleviate 
the  toils  and  anxieties  of  a  long  life. 

I  have  now,  gentlemen,  to  repeat  the  desire  that  my  con- 
nexion with  the  institution  as  Principal  may  terminate  at  the 


AC  A  DEM  V.  '->.") 

end  of  the  present  term,  and  that  a  successor  be  appointed  to 
supply  the  place.  And  at  the  close  of  my  labors  permit  me 
to  express  my  best  wishes  for  your  personal  happiness,  and  to 
assure  yon  of  the  continuance  of  my  fervent  prayers  for  the 
future  prosperity  of  the  institution. 

With  great  respect  and  all'eclion, 

I  am  your  obedient  servant, 

BKX.IAMIN  Ar.r.oi . 

KKSOl.rriOX    OF    THE    TUISTI.I.S. 

Voted,  unanimously,  that  the  Trustees  cannot  accept  the 
resignation,  as  the}'  now  do,  of  a  long  tried  oflicer  without 
expressing  their  deep  regret  at  ^hc  dissolution  of  the  connec- 
tion which  has  so  long  and  so  happily  subsisted  between 
them.  It  is  now  fifty  years  since  Dr.  Abbot  was  placed,-  in 
the  lifetime  of  the  Founder,  at  the  head  of  the  instruction  of 
this  Academy.  It  is  personal!}'  known  to  some  of  the  pres- 
ent members  of  the  Board  that  the  Founder,  during  the 
remaining  seven  years  of  his  life,  entirely  approved  the  con- 
duct of  the  Principal,  as  did  also  those  who  have  successively 
exercised  the  office  of  governors  and  visitors  of  this  Acad- 
emy. 

The  endowment  of  this  charity  is  believed  to  be  among 
the  most  ample  and  liberal  of  its  class  in  the  United  States, 
and  for  that  reason  talents  and  qualifications  rarely  found 
united  in  one  man  were  required  in  the  person  charged  with 
the  instruction  and  government.  A  clear  and  sound  under- 
standing,— talents  beyond  the  ordinary  rate  for  acquiring, 
and  aptness  in  communicating  instruction, — an  enlarged 
knowledge  of  human  nature, — sagacity  to  discern  the  charac- 
ters, capacities  and  dispositions  of  youth,  accompanied  by  a 
mild  and  equable  temper  and  disposition  of  mind, — suavity  of 
manners  and  above  all  a  kind  and  affectionate  heart, — ready 
at  all  times  to  put  on  the  parent, — regarding  his  pupils  as 
children  entrusted  by  Providence  to  his  care, — all  these  qual- 
ities and  many  others  adapted  to  his  situation,  experience 
has  shown  were  happily  blended  in  the  man  of  their  choice. 
The  present  Trustees  and  man}7  of  their  predecessors  can 
claim  no  merit  in  the  appointment  (that  merit  is  chiefly  to  be 
ascribed  to  the  Founder)  but  only  in  a  disposition  duly  to 
appreciate  the  merits  and  conduct  of  their  Principal,  and 
steadily  to  support  his  authority, — to  adopt  such  plans  and 
measures  for  instruction  and  government  as  experience  should 
have  suggested  to  him  as  necessary  and  useful, — and  the  uni- 
form disposition  to  make  his  situation  as  easy  and  comforta- 


:H;  run. i. ir-    i  \i  n  i: 

Mr  to  him  on  tin-  means  placed  at  their  disposal  would  allow. 
Tlie  records  of  tin-  Academy  abundantly  show  that  tlic  mo>t 
cordial  and  a  licet  ion  ate  confldence has  ever  subsisted  bet  \vccn 
the  governor--  and  visitors  of  the  charity  and  the  important 
olliccr  dialled  with  its  internal  direction  and  management. 

It  gives  the  Trustees  unfeigned  pleasure  to  lielieve  that 
this  school  has  proved,  and  has  been  ever  so  regarded,  as 
one  of  the  best  in  our  country,  and  for  the  whole  period  of 
Dr.  Abbot'.-  superintendence,  assisted  as  he  has  generally 
been  by  young  nien  of  superior  talents  and  liberal  minds, 
has  sent  forth  scholars  and  gentlemen  distinguished  for  their 
classical  knowledge  and  scientific  attainments,  some  of  whom 
have  completed  their  studies  here.  This  furnishes  the  lies! 
evidence  of  the  usefulness  of  the  institution  and  of  the  mer- 
its of  its  instructors. 

The  Trustees  cannot  but  ascribe  much  of  the  excellence  of 
this  school,  and  its  present  well  digested  and  matured  rules 
and  usages,  to  the  prudence  and  caution  of  its  Principal, — 
avoiding  on  the  one  hand  all  rash  and  hasty  experiments  in 
the  delicate  business  of  education,  and  on  the  other,  evinc- 
ing a  constant  readiness  to  avail  himself  of  the  new  lights 
shed  upon  this  branch  of  knowledge  at  home  and  abroad. 
It  has  been  attempted  here  to  lay  the  foundations  deep  and 
broad,  and  to  dispense  none  but  correct  and  accurate  instruc- 
tion in  all  the  branches  taught .  and  as  far  as  our  sphere 
extends,  to  make  solid  rather  than  shining  scholars. 

The  Trustees  have  thus  thought  it  to  be  a  duty  they  owed 
their  late  Principal  to  advert  in  brief  terms  to  the  cour-c  of 
education  pursued  in  this  Academy  for  the  last  twenty-live 
years,  and  to  express  their  full  and  entire  approbation,  and 
also  their  determination  to  continue  it.  They  Hatter  them- 
selves that  the  intentions  and  hopes  of  the  benevolent  Found- 
er have  been  thus  far.  and  will  continue  to  lie.  rcali/cd. 

The  Trustees  in  taking  leave  of  their  Principal,  earnestly 
pray  that  the  decline  of  his  now  advanced  years  may  be  as 
serene  and  happy  as  his  long  and  faithful  services  have  been 
productive  of  the  happiness  and  improvement  of  others. 
His  retrospection  cannot  fail  to  afford  him  the  truest  felicity. 
They  hope  he  will  long  live  to  sec  and  enjov  the  good  fruits 
of  his  laborious  and  well  spent  life. 


II.   page  84. 
3ONG,    i"i;  Tin.   Ai:r.<>T  .irr.n.KK. 

Tuin  ,  ". I"/'/  I. 'mil  \'///c." 
When  after  toil  and  wanderings  loiii; 

In  many  a  distant  land. 
Around  a  lather's  hearth  is  met 

Once  more  the  hoiiseliold  hand, 
IIo\v  gratefully  ascend  the  notes 

Of  mingled  joy  and  prai>c  : 
While,  sadly  sweet,  the  thought  returns 
Of  happy  early  days. 

And  here,  a  hand  of  grateful  sons. 

We,  too,  to-day  have,  met. 
To  bless  the  kind,  paternal  care 

We  never  can  forget; — 
To  bless  the  hand  that  guided  us 

In  Learning'.-  pleasant  way>. 
And  led  us  to  the  springs  of  Truth, 

In  those,  our  early  days. 

How  fresh  to-day  come  back  the  li.uht 

And  air  of  those  bright  years 
When  life  and  hope  were  yomijr,  and  yet 

rndimmed  by  cares  or  fears. 
'    Then,  with  united  hearts  and  voice, 

Together  let  us  raise 
One  son.ii  of  joy.  to  celebrate 

Our  happy,  early  days. 

Kuch  voice  be  raised,  each  eye.  to  ble.-s 

Our  (juide,  Instructor,  Friend: 
May  Heaven's  best  y'ifts  still  wait  upon 

His  life,  till  life  shall  end. 
And  may  the  tribute  that  we  briny 

Of  filial  love  and  praise 
Hind,  with  a  crown  oflijfht.  his  brow. 

Who  blessed"  our  early  days. 

SONG,     WK1TTKX    F(>1{    TIIK     FKSTIVA1,    AT     F.XF.TKK, 
AUGUST    -2:}.     1-S.'5S. 

O'er  the  blue  depths  of  ocean  the  mariner's  sail 
Like  the  win,"  of  the  sea  bird,  is  bent  to  the  yale. 
And  the  sunbeam  is  ylancini;'  in  liifht  on  the  foam 
As  hurries  the  tempest-tossed  wanderer  home. 
Away  with  each  weary  remembrance  of  pain, 
As  he  crosses  the  dearly  loved  threshold  airain  ! 
Some  faces  are  absent,  once  radiant  and  fair, 
IJut  the  welcome  and  smile  of  a  Parent  are  there. 

And  well  may  our  hearts  with  fond  memories  burn. 
To  the  scenes  of  past  joys  as  once  more  we  return; 
Kind  voices  are  silent. — warm  bosoms  are  chill, — 
}'>(\(  the  friend  of  our  infancy  welcomes  us  still! 
The  Friend,  who  once  uuided  the  steps  of  our  youth 


98  PHILLIP*    I-.M.TI.I; 

Along  the  bright  pathway  of  learnini:  and  truth: 
Cold,  cold  must  those  hearts  he,  those  memories  dim, 
When  they  kiiullu  uo  more  with  aU'cction  for  him ! 

Too  .soon  will  this  hour  of  enjoyment  he  gone; 
Then,  as  the  sad  moment  of  parting  steals  ou, 
Let  us  hreathe  one  kind  wish  Tor  his  welfare,  before 
We  wander,  perhaps  to  behold  him  no  more. 
He  the  mild  light  of  peaee  on  his  eventide  shed, 
And  light  fall  the  sorrows  of  age  on  his  head  ! 
.May  each  blessing  that  friendship  and  gratitude  rust. 
Ou  the  pathway  of  virtue,  he  his  to  the  last  ,' 


I,  page  43. 

HON.    GEOHGE    S.    IIALt's    POEM. 
I. 

The  young  lulus,  midst  the  Trojan  lire, 
With  steps  unequal,  followed  his  great  sire. 
His  wandering  o'er,  the  patriotic  boy 
Helped  to  biii lil  up  another,  greater  Troy. 

n. 

With  steps  unequal  tho'  we  follow  those 

Whose  wide  spread  fame  each  proud  Alumuus  knows, 

Who  made  the  glory  of  the  days  gone  by, 

And  lived  conspicuous  in  the  Nation's  eye. 


Perchance  our  second  Troy  shall  bear  our  fame 
To  future  ages  with  some  greater  name, 
Our  Hector  by  some  C;csar— be  outdone, 
And  Webster's  glory  have  some  greater  son. 

IV. 

Deal'  are  the  memories  of  the  ancient  shrine, 
Who  is  not  glad  to  say  "And  these  were  mine!'' 
The  morning  greetings  in  the  noisy  Hall—, 
The  jovial  crowd  that  chased  the  flying  ball. 

v. 

The  rare  events  when  boyish  hands,  set  free, 
Clapped  for  a  bride  or  birth  with  eager  glee — 
The  hour  reluctant,  given  to  the  broom 
When  Smith  Secundus  swept  the  Latin  room. 

VI. 

The  happy  wanderings  when  spring  was  new, 
The  happy  holidays  that  swiftly  flew, 
The  record  which  we  longed,  yet  feared  to  see 
That  told  our  parents  what  their  boys  might  be. 

VII. 

But  hours  there  are  that  graver  thoughts  employ, 


ACADEMY.  90 

Signs  of  the  man  fast  growing  in  thu  boy; 
Tin;  hours  of  study  and  the  thoughts  of  feme, 
Stirred  by  the  memories  of  some  honored  name 

VIII. 

For  some  the  counting  of  the  scanty  store, 
The  anxious  question,  where  to  look  for  more, 
How  best  to  share  of  others'  weary  toil 
And  constant  struggle  with  the  ungrateful  soil. 

IX. 

<  Mi !  may  these  walls,  we  dedicate  anew, 

Still  to  the  memories  of  the  Past  be  true; 

May  sons  succeeding  sires  still  hold 

The  lengthening  chain  that  binds  the  young  and  old. 

x. 

Still  learn  the  lessons  that  their  fathers  learned 
Win  brighter  honors  than  their  lathers  earned, 
And  crown  the  latter  house  their  fathers  raise, 
With  glory  greater  than  the  former  days. 


J,  page  02. 

LIST    OK    OFFICERS    AM)    IXSTUIVTOKS. 
TRUSTEES. 

1781     Hon.  John  Phillips,  LL.  I).,  ........    .............      1795 


17x1  Hon.  Samuel  Phillips,  LL.D., 

1781  Thomas  (  )diornc,  ...............................  1  7'.M 

17x1  Hon.  John  Pickering,  LL.D,  ......................  ix<»2 

17X1  Rev.  David  McChu-e,  D.D.,  ....................  17x7 

17X1  Rev.  Benjamin  Thurston,  ........................  1801 

1781  Daniel  Tilton,  ................................  1783 

178:5  William  Wooclbridge,  A.M.,  ex  ojficio  .............  178X 

1787  Hon.  Paine  Wingate,  A.M.,  .......................  ixo'j 

1791  Benjamin  Abbot,  LL.D.,  ex  officio  .................  1838 

1794  Hon.  Oliver  Peabody,  A.M.,  ......................  1828 

1795  Hon.  John  Taylor  Oilman,  LL.D.,  ...............  1X27 

1801  Rev.  Joseph  Buckminster,  D.D.,  ..................  1X12 

1X02  Rev.  Jesse  Appleton,  D.D.,  ....................  1X03 

1x09  Hon.  John  Phillips,  A.M.,  .......................  1820 

18iL>  Rev.  Daniel  Dana,  D.D.,   ....................  ...  1M3 

ixii!)  Hon.  Nathaniel  Appleton  Haven,  A.M.,  ..........  1830 

1812  Rev.  Jacob  Abbot,  A.M.,  .........................  1X3  1 

1821  Rev.  Nathan  Parker,  D.D  ........................  lx:;:; 

IXL'X  Hon.  Jeremiah  Smith,  LL.D  .......................  1X12 

1X:!1  Samuel  Hale,  A.  M  ..............................  1869 

1X31  Hon.  Samuel  Dana  Bell,  LL.D  .....................  1838 

lx.-,.-,  Hon.  Daniel  Webster,  LL.D  ......................  1852 

1x35  Rev.  Charles  Burroughs,  D.I).,  ..................  1867 

1X3X  Benjamin  Abbot,  LL.  D.,  .......................  1844 

ix:;x  Gideon  Lane  Soule,  A.M..  ex  njfirio,  .............  1S73 


I'1!'  IMIII.l.ll's     1   M.I  I   I, 

IX|L>  Hon.  Jame>   Hell.   A.  15  ...................                             IS,',;.' 

1M:!  l!ev.  .\niln-\v  Preston    Peabodv.  D.D  ............... 

isll  David  Wood  (Jorham.  A.I',..  M.D  ..................      1S7:1 

Hon.  Amos  Tuck,  A.M  .........................     1x7:1 

is;,;;  K  ram-is  IJowt-n.  A.M  .............................      1x7:, 

ixijs  Hon.  Jeremiah.  Smith.  A.M  ........................      1x71 

1x711  Hon.  George  Silsbee  Hale,  A.  B  .................. 

]*7:\  Albert  Cornelius  Perkins,  1'li.D..  »./•  <>tji<-i<>,  ........ 

1*71  William  Henry  (iorliaiu.  M.D  .......  '.  ............        1X7!) 

1x7  1  .lost-pit  Burbeen  Walker,  A.M  ................... 

1>7.'»  Kev.  Phillips  I5rooks,  D.D.  .......................      ixsu 

1*7!)  Nicholas  Kmerv  Soule,  A.M..  M.D.,  ............... 

1X71)  lion.  Charles  lienry  I'.t-ll.  I.L.I).  ............... 

John  Charles  Phillipd,  A.M  ........................ 

TREASURERS. 

17x]     Thomas  Odiorne  .................................      17',);5 

17!i:i     Hon.  .John  Taylor  (iilinan.  LL.D.,  ................      Ixmi 

Hon.  Oliver  Peabocly,  A.M  ......................      I*L'X 

II,  ,u   Jeremiah  Smith,  LL.D.,  .......  .............      1*1:.' 

]xf_'     lion.  John  Kelly.  A.M.  ...........................      I85fi 

]x;,;,     Juscjdi  Tavlor  (iiitnan  ............................      ixii-j 

ixii-j    S.  Clarke  Buzell,  ............................... 

ixsu     Charles    IJurlt-y  ................................ 

PHIXCIl'AI.     IN>T1M(   l«l;s 


17x:;     William  Wootlbritl^i-.  A.M.,  I'nnjifnr,  .  ,  ..........      17xx 


rt^i-.      . 

1788     tienjamin  Abbot,  LL.D.,  /'/•///.»•//////  .................  ix;;x 

ix.-^s    Gideon  Latae  Soule,  LLiD.,      "        ...............  lx7:i 

1x7:!      Albert  Cornelius  Perkins.  Ph.D.,  /'r/nr>/,n/  ........ 

iN-n;i  CTOR8. 

The  ciilK'^iatc  ili.-^n-es  «(  tlic    Instructors  and    A.->i.-tniil    Instruct- 
th  ,.-!•  \vliii-li   lliry  liiiil  received  at  (lie  time  «['  their  several  ;t|)|iniiitiiie)its. 

ISMS     Kbme/er  Adams,  A.M..  Pfdf.  M»//i.  >ni<l  N«l  .   /'////..  ixull 

ixll      Ho>ea  Hil.lreth,  A.M.,   /'/•/,/.  Mull,,  and  \'il.   1'liil.,.  l.s-J.-i 

1X17     Pit'v.  Isaac  llunl,  A.M.,  Theological  Instructor,  .....  ix;;:i 

IXi'-j     (iidtjon  Lane  Sonle.  A.M.,  I'rnf.  An'.  /,HKt//«ii/i  *..  .  .  ix;lx 
)XL'.")     John  Parker  Cleaveland.  A.  P..'.  /'/•-/.  Math.  "><>/  A''//. 

/'////  .............................  '  ...............  isjii 

Isi'C,     Charles  C.  P.  (iale.  A.P,.,  /'/•.,/".  M<illi.<iml  Xnl  .  /'////.  lsi'7 

IXL'7    Joseph  Half  Abbot.  A.M..  Pn»/.  Moth.awl  .\<tf.  riiil.  ;x:;:; 

lx:l:l     Fntneis  Howen.  \.\\..  /'/•-,/;  JA//A.  ,i,,,l  N<il.  /'////  _____  is;;;, 

lx:i;>     William  Jh-nrv  Shackicml,  A.B.,   /'/•<-/'.  Mu.lh.    >n,,l 

Hat.  Phil.,  ...................  !  ............  1x12 

l>:!'i     Henry  French,  A.  15..  Inslriu-lnr  i/i  J.n//<///<it/i  >•  .......  ls(ii 

ls|n    Nehemiah  Cleaveland,  A.M.  /'•/•"/'.  Ant.  Ln/t</n«</i  *.,  ixti 

ixii     J(,seph  (Jibson  llovt.  A.M..  I'm/.  Mathematics.,  ----  is.v.i 

lx|-_'     Uiehaid  Wt-iiman  Swan.  A.  B.,Prof.Ant.  /.<i//</'<n</<x  !>.'•! 

ix.'il      Paul  Ansel  Chadbonnie.  A  M..  I'mf.  Ant.  /^///'/"".'/'  N  1  x.'rj 
lx;>^     Theodore  Tilt  bet-.  A.P...  /'/•»/'.  An'l.  l.nn<inn<i<*  ...... 

)s.",:'i     Heiirv  Stedman  N'otirse.  A.P,.,  /'/•"/'.  At/'.  /.>i/t</t'<i>/<* 


\<    \f>KMV.  101 


1855 

(  Jeoruv  (  'arid  on  Sa\\  \  er,  A.  15.,  /'/•«/'.  An/  .  L<n/<ii//n/t-s 

1858 

I  ,s:,.s 

(leoi^e  Albert.  WenUvorlh.  A.  15..  I'm/'.  Mulln  malir*. 

1859 

Bradbury  Longfellow  Cil  ley,  A.M.,  I'mf.  Ani.  l.<n<- 

l/IKtl/l*      .... 

is?:, 

Robert  Franklin  1'cnncll,  A.M.,  /'/•<*/'.  f.n/i/t  

1882 

\»I>TAN  i    IN-  n:i  <  ,  ous. 

I7s| 

Joseph  Willard.  A.M  

1  7s.-, 

1  7s.-, 

Sal  UK  in  (  'liiisc.  A.  15.,  

1786 

1789 

Joseph  D:in:i,  A.M.,  

L789 

17S!i 

Daniel    I  >:m:i,  A.M  

17H! 

171H 

John  Phillips  Kiplev.  A.B.,  

1791 

17!  12 

llul'iis  Ander>on.  A.I!  

1792 

1792 

Abiel  Abbol,  A.  15  

1798 

1793 

(  'harles  <  'ollin.  A.M  

17D  I 

1794 

Joseph  Perkins.  A.M  

1795 

17!>;. 

Timothy  Winn,  A.M  

1796 

17% 

Pete  i-  <  )  \enbr  id  <je  Thaeher,  A.M  . 

1797 

17!  17 

Xieholas  Lmerv.  A.I)  ,  

17D7 

17!  17 

(leorirc  Win^-ate,  A.  15  

17D7 

17117 

William  Crai"'    A.M  

1799 

17D1) 

Samuel  Dunn  Parker.  A.M.,..,  

1  SI  II  ) 

1799 

1  1  o  ratio    (  Jatcs  Murnap,   \  15      

1808 

1801 

Joseph  Stevens  Mue.kminster,  A.B.,  

1808 

180^8 

Samuel  Willanl.  A.   15.  ,  

I  si   I 

1804 

John  Stiekiicv,  A.  15.  

isi  ;, 

1  SI  1  | 

Ashur  \Vaiv,  A.  15  

!  M  5 

1805 

Martin  Luther  Hurlbut.   A.  '13.,  

1805 

1805 

Nathan  Hale,  A.M.,  '.  

1807 

1806 

Jaa/.aniah  (  'rosbv,  A.M  

1807 

1806 

Alexander  Hill  Kverett,  A.  B  

1807 

1807 

Nathaniel   Appleton  Haven,  Jr.  A.B.,  

1808 

1  XI  is 

IJeuben  Washburn,  A.  15.,  

L809 

1809 

Nathaniel  Whitman  A.M.,  

1810 

L  8  10 

Nathan  Lord.  A.M  

1811 

1810 

.Jonas  Wheeler.  A.  13.,  

1811 

1  s  1  1 

Henry  Holton  Fuller,  A.B.,..  .'  

1  s  1  2 

1812 

Henry  Ware,  A.M.,  

1814 

1814 

James  Walker,  A.M.  

1815 

1815 

(  ieoi'^-e  (ioldtluvaite  hi'-ersoll,  A.M..,  

IS  1C. 

1810 

\\'  ill  iam  1  5ou  rue  Oliver  Peabodv,  A.M.,  

IS], 

1817 

Oliver  William  Bourne  IVahodv,  A.  15  

1818 

ISIS 

(  iideon  Lane  Sonle,  A.M  

1819 

1819 

Samuel  Taylor  Oilman,  A.  15.,  

1  s-ji  ) 

1820 

(  'harh'S  Lane  Folsom,  A.B  

1822 

1856 

Jacob  Abbot  Cram  

1857 

1857 

William  Francis  Bennett  Jackson  

1857 

I860 

(  Jrlando  Mareellus  l-'eruald  ,  

1861 

186J 

Pa\  son  Merrill  

1862 

1S7(» 

William  Harrington  Putnam,  A.  M  

1871 

1871 

Kobcrl  Franklin  Pennell.  A.B  

1S7.3 

1S7I 

O<ear  Faulhabcr,  Ph.  1)  

102  run. i. irs  i\i  111; 

1*7">     Frederick  Timothy  Fuller.  A. 15 ls7s 

.lames  Artliur  Tni'ls,  A.  11., 

i  reorge  l.\  in:in  Kiltre.l^.f,  A.I'. 


K.    iia^v 

iv-p.ni->.'.    l.y   Col.    (Jrnriiv    Kent,   to    :in    inquiry 
the  panics    in    use  l>v  the  students,  in  1SU7,  when 
he  \v:is  a  im-mlter  of  the  Academy. 

I'm  asked  to  say  somcthiii;;  of  u'anie<  ami  <>{'  sports. 
That  enjoyed  the  attention  ol'yoiith  ol'all  sorts. 
From   the  l>oy  of  thirteen  to  t  In-  man  of  I  wo  M-OIV 
As  wise  at  that  a.i;e,  iv  his  o\vn  view,  as  more. 
From  Hawkes,  I'.riu'ijs  ami  Sparks  and  from  Piper  and   ('apron. 
Down  to  us  hardly  fresh  from  our  infantile  apron. 
Then-  were  customs  initial  not  much  toour  boasi. 
Such  as  forcing  new  comers  to  i.Tnn!>  a  liaiv  po<t. 
••Shin  up"  without  aid  until  reachini;  the  top 
Ufa  pillar  co  11  si  rue  ted  t  he  ceiling  to  prop, 
Of  the  bi;;  room  in  old   Academical  Hall, 
Whose  desks  and  walls  answeied    to  many  a  scrawl. 
\   "washing"  and  scrubbing  the  face  of  new  comer 
Was  al>o  in  voyue  at   the  c'ii.1  of  each  summer. 
Prostrating  tlie  form  in  the  first  sheet  of  snow 
That  might  give,  of  the  winter,  the  veriest  show. 
.Through  dint  of  the  scrubbing  unless  by  rare  grace. 
Leaving  scare.:  to  recumbent   his  primitive  face. 

But  pastimes  and  names  «,r  a  much  better  sort 

Lent  aid  to  our  out  door  and  innocent  sport, 

Such  as  marbles  and  foot  ball,  cat,  cricket  and  base. 

With  occasional  variance  by  a  loot  race. 

In  manner  old-fashioned,  and  not  through  change  lickle. 

Knowing  nauirlit  of  rolal  ion  of  modern   bicycle. 

And  no  living  of  kites,  Mich  a>   stock  markets  show. 

Where  (he  process   is  often    -'a  word  and  a  blow,"- 

A  blow-np  that  ends  in  a  sky-hiijh  disaster, 

'T.ulls"  or  "bears"  left  the  victors,  as  each   may  be  master. 

P.ut  why  of  these  matters  presume  1  hits  to  tell, 

When  all  is  already  "as  clear  as  a  Hell," 

To  my  honored  friend  living  just  by  the  same  spot, 

Where  early  in  life  my  crude  views   I  thus  irot  ! 

To  some  ^reat  extent   panics  obey  the  same    rules, 

As.  in  s|.rinir,  the  same  alewives  seem  Leathered  in  sehooN 

Many  panics  that  at  present  in  voijue  may  be  found, 

Have  been  by  lou;;   practice  "run  into   the  ground." 

Ill  naught  I  can  say  could  I  further  enlighten 

ur  by  <>\<l  reminiscences.  m,r  intellects  brighten: 

So  with  /A/.v  rambliiiLT  scribble,  you  will  please  be  content 

And  this  tribute  accept  from  your  true  friend 

<;i:.>i:<;i     Kr.vr. 
Washington,  D.  C.,    May,  1S83. 


ACADKMV. 


CONTENTS. 

r  M.K. 

Prefatory   note.  .  .          .          .          .          .      :'. 

I.  TIIK  Foi  M>KK.  ......;"> 

Phillips  mansion  :  birth,  parentage  and  ancestry  of  Founder; 
education;  studies  medicine  :ind  divinity:  :nid  preache-: 
removes  to  Exeter  ;  marriage:  engages  in  trade  ;  declines 
call  to  settle;  trouble  with  (ireat  Pirhain  :  agreement  for 
mutual  protection  ;  second  marriage  :  assumes  oliicc  :  ap- 
pointed Colonel:  opposed  to  Revolution,  but  ivm:iins  neu- 
tral; devotes  niie-tenth  of  earnings  to  pious  uses:  t^il'is  |(, 
Dartmouth  College:  chosen  Trustee;  receive-  honorary 
degree;  endows  Academy  in  Andover  ;  I'ounds  Phillips 
Kxeter  Academy  :  President  of  Trustees  ;  last  illness  and 
death;  honors  to  his  memory  ;  epitaph  ;  character  :  benev- 
olence and  sagacity  ;  portrait:  religious  tolerance. 

II.  Tin:   A.CADEM1  :    17s:1,  to  ls:!s.        .          .          .          .17 
Incorporation,   provisions  o|':   exemption   from   taxes:  Trus- 

tees; Founder's  gifts  to  Academy;  Constitution:  charity 
fund;  Founder's  last  will;  value  of  endowment;  location 
of  buildings;  first  Preceptor;  opening  ceremonies;  school 
in  its  infancy:  resignation  of  Mr.  Woodbridge  ;  accession 
of  Mr.  Abbot  :  new  buildings;  Founder's  successor  in  trii-l  : 
certificate  of  pupil's  improvement  ;  reorganization  in  isos  : 
charge  fqr  tuition  ;  Principal's  house  ;  Instructor  in  'I'heol- 
ojjy  ;  students  in  divinity;  revision  of  studies  in  ISIS; 
wings  added  to  building  ;  Principal's  duties  lightened:  he 
resigns  ;  Abbot  Festival;  exercises;  dinner:  speech  of  Mr. 
Webster;  Dr.  Abbot's  reply  :  other  speechc-  :  odes. 

III.  Tin:  A.AI.IOM.  !s:5s  to   lss:{.      .          .  .     ;}f, 


Second  Principal;  English  department  discontinued:  Alibot 
Hall  built;  Faculty  organi/.ed  ;  girls  not  to  lie  pupil-: 
"studying  out  of  school"  introduced:  resignation  of  1'rof. 
Hoyt  ;  Sibley  Charity  Fund  :  burning  of  Academy  ;  re  build- 
ing; dedication  of  new  house;  Mr.  Phillips"  speech:  Dr. 
Soiile's:  other  speeches  ;  Dr.  Soule's  resignation  :  Mr.  Per- 
kins' appointment;  (Jorham  Hall  bou«rht  :  Kingman  lie- 
quest;  Odlin  professorship;  unknown  benefactor:  Mr. 
Winkley's  gifts;  School  as  it  is;  work  of  instructor-  :  bene- 
ficiary system  ;  religious  character. 


101  niiu.li'>    r\i:i!.i; 

PAGE. 

l\ .      Tin:    INSTI.-U  T<»I:>.          .          .  .          .          .          .50 

William  Wbodbridge,  account  of:  infirm  health ;  IJesolution 
of  Trustees  :  sii!is('(|iii'iil  history:  Pienjamin  Abbot,  birtli, 
ancestry;  education  and  qualities  ;  scholarship:  manners  ; 
marriage  and  family:  (iideon  I..  Soule,  account  of:  per- 
son; (|iialilicalious  lor  principalship ;  changes  sanctioned 
by  him;  scliolarsliip;  sncccs<  ;  family:  Resolution  on  his 
decease:  I  losea  I  lildreth,  account  of:  inlliience  in  school: 
projects  (iolden  15 ranch  :  subsequent  history ;  family ;  Jo- 
M-plii;.  llo\t,  a."coiinl  of:  qualities  ;  varicl\  of  interests: 
Chancellor  of  Washington  I  ni\  ci-sit\  .  death  ;  other  Instruc- 
tors: present  boa  I'd  of  teachers. 

V.      TIIK  OITK  'Kits,    P>i.\r,r\<  -roi.-s   and    AI.IMM.    .  ('. 1 

Trustees,  Oliver Peabody ;  John  T.  dilman  :  l)auicl  l>ana: 
Jeremiah  Smith  :  Samuel  Hale:  I  >a\  id  \V.  ( iorham  ;  Amos 
Tuck;  Treasm-eis,  John  Kelly:  Joseph  T.  dilman;  S. 
Clarke  P)ii/ell  :  P>enefactors.  Nicholas  (iilman:  Jeremiah 
Kinsman;  John  L.  Sililey;  NVoodbridgo  Oil  I'm ;  Henry 
\Yink)ey:  Alumni,  their  number:  remarkable  jjp-oup  of 
early  pupils;  true  test,  of  merits  of  school  :  Kxeter  no  sec 
ond  j)lace. 

\'I.        TlIK     HlCCKKATIoNS.  .  .  .  .  .  .        78 

Military  exercises ;   Wasliin^ton  Whiles  :  their  history  ;  Kxe- 
ter in  the  war  for  the  Union;   (Jolden   liranch  ;  opposition 
to  it;  present  condition ;  Soule  Literary  Society ;  marble^: 
football  and  other  Barnes  of  ball  :  changes  of  j^aim.'s  :  hare 
and    hounds;   boating;   the   bicycle:   no  ha/.iiig;  early  or- 
deals; amusements  of  winter  ;  skating,  coasting  and  snow 
balling;  •traditional    snow    fort  and  its  etVccts;  the  Kxou- 
ian  ;  exhibitions. 

i1  LOB. 
Appendix.  A.  Letter  of  John  Phillips  to 

.Mrs.  Josi;ih  (iilman.     .          .         .          .          .     S!» 

"         l>.     Letters  of  John  CPhillips  to 

his  brothers  Samuel  and  William, 
"  ( '.      Kpitaph  on  John  Phillips,        , 

1).     Hills  of  Students  at  the 

Academy,  17!)S-!('.l HI 

"         E.    Distributions  of  prizes,  ....     U2 

"  F.      ( 'onrse  of  studies  and  text  books 

adopted  in   isis. !);', 

•'         (i.     Dr.  Abbot's  letter  of  resignation  and 

i;c-pon<e  of  Trustees,  .          .          .          .      HI 

H.    Odes  for  the  Abbot  Festival,          .        .         .     !>7 

I.      Mr.  Ilaie's  poem.  IS?L' Us 

J.     List  of  Officers  and  Instructors.       .        .  !•!» 

"  K.     Col.  Kent's  poetical  account  of 

the  early  panics  <S:c.,  .          .          .          .!(>-! 


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